International trade might be quite a common thing nowadays and we conduct business with every possible nation, but do we really use the huge potential of Africa?
Well China and India might be the emerging global players, but these are not the only countries with industrial potential and massive labor force. Somehow we have forgotten a whole continent – Africa. Speaking in geographical terms it is a lot closer than Asia so the potential transportation costs should be considerably closer, but this huge continent has only a handful of countries that can play a serious part in the spectacle of global market. Why is that so? After all Africa possesses huge quantity of valuable natural resources which in a normal case would be one of requirements for a substantial industrial base. But in reality an industrial base of Africa is almost non-existent. When we mention Africa we almost immediately and only think of Republic of South Africa, but there are other countries as well who theoretically have the potential to become at least an advanced country.
Another point in favor of Africa is the huge potential labor force. I admit the education level is far behind the one of Asia, but that is a correctable issue and after all there is a possibility to hire professionals who could manage the industry at least at the first stages. The wage level of the common labor force would allow producing goods with a competitive price.
If the industry level is actually too hard to develop then there is still agriculture. With efficient management Africa might be able to sustain the whole world; at least it should be able to sustain itself. But what actually happens right now is that Africa is suffering and although one might say it is due to the interior power struggles and wars, the main enemy of Africa is hunger.
But even if Africa would be able to overcome these problems it would be heck of a problem to successfully compete in the global market. And guess what we all would be probably responsible for this, because I think the countries of Africa will experience the same problem China had ten years ago. People will be afraid to by goods labeled “Made by Zimbabwe”, for example. The quality of African goods will be important issue. But no matter what Africa should try to jump in the international trade train as soon as possible. The simple dumping of the natural resources will only cause long-term problems for Africa. Manufacturing is the key.
