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21 century Africa

It’s a different world now!

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The impact from rapid development

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Most m'zuŋ u perceive the need for an urgency to African development. The reality is that
progress in development needs to be controlled.
Urbanisation
Africa is urbanising fast. Much of that urbanisation is in the form of informal

townships which bring their own range of social issues and social disorder.
Extractive industries,
The rapid development of extraction industries brings with it many impacts, not least

of which is a displacement of local people from what they regard as 'family land'.

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Land management
" Every second citizen in Africa has been affected by land corruption in recent years, " 98

"Land Corruption in Sub-Saharan Africa"
Transparency International

This is a very big issue in Africa. Even now in many parts of Africa, land is bought and

sold in a traditional way. The buyer and the seller will each take several friends to a
meeting with their local 'chairman'. All will be allowed to ask questions about the land

to be sold / bought. When each is satisfied. The 'chairman' will dictate a simple, brief

paragraph to be written into the non-descript record book he keeps. Boundaries will be
described by reference to specific features on the land, a tree, a bush, a rock, any

easily recognisable natural feature. Then each of those attending will leave their mark
or fingerprint. Deal done. No solicitor. No need for a solicitor.

This traditional approach has served everyone well for centuries. However, the rapid

development of Africa has led to many, many land disputes, as large commercial
interests want quick monopolistic access to large tracts of land. All too often, local

officials conspire with these commercial organisations to transfer land without the

agreement of the landholders.
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Religious extremism
In recent times, armed conflict has only really occurred in 4 regions of Africa. North

Africa and the Sahel, West Africa, the Horn, and the Great Lakes region. In all but the
Great Lakes region, religious extremists can be said to play a leading role.