Diagnosing the Origin of Poverty in Africa and the Way Out

Resumen

This paper claims that the basic economic problem of Africa and Africans is the economic exploitation of the continent and her people by foreign powers aided by their African collaborators. The paper explains that this exploitation starts in the colonial era and is perpetrated then through unjust institutions established by colonial administrations. The exploitations have continued to this day through puppet governments that serve the interest of the West especially through lopsided trade agreements and economic policies that disfavour Africa. The result is not only that Africa is ranked the poorest continent in the world but is also seen in the level of poverty and underdevelopment ravaging the continent. In the light of these, the paper recommends that application of Christian Social Teaching (CST) is necessary for understanding African economic exploitation and also in helping Africa to navigate away from poverty currently the most fundamental problem of the continent – to prosperity.