Research Paper: Njoh, A. J. (2008). Implications of Africa’s transportation systems for development in the era of globalization. The Review of Black Political Economy, 35(4), 147-162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12114-008-9032-0
This paper identifies and discusses some of the issues in colonial/current transportation systems and the effects on Africa’s modern-day transport infrastructure and globalization.
What this paper is about
- Although the relationship between transportation and economic development has always been contentious, colonial authorities in Africa believed that investments in transport infrastructure positively influenced economic development. This explains the preoccupation of these authorities with road-and railway-building projects throughout the continent.
- However, from the early-1970s to the mid-1980s, following the revelation by a number of empirical studies that this relationship may in fact be negative or inverse, transportation lost its appeal as a critical determinant of economic and regional development.
- Since the mid-1980s, particularly subsequent to the revelation that, investments in public infrastructure contributed to economic development in industrialized countries see e.g.,, the importance of transportation to development has once more been recognized. This suggests that a region’s ability to succeed in the contemporary global economy depends largely on the effectiveness and efficiency of its transport system.
What you can learn
- It is clear that the transport problems of African countries severely limit their ability to actively participate in the globalization process.
- Recall that colonial efforts did everything possible to discourage interaction and cooperation amongst African territories. This was especially true when the territories were controlled by rival colonial powers.
- African transport authorities will also do well to ensure the integration of transport networks throughout the continent. This is especially because active participation in the globalization process invariably depends on effective and efficient intermodal systems of transportation.
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