Running Head: Impact of Colonialism on Africa and its Economic Development 1

Name

Course Code: HIST 2070

Title: Analysis of the Impact of Colonialism on Africa and its Economic Development

Institution
 Running Head: Impact of Colonialism on Africa and its Economic Development 2

Abstract

Many years of colonial exploitation, dominance, and imperialism affected African

economic development. This is evident in the primal role that Africa plays in the global

economic arena. African states are dominant in the provision of raw materials to other

nations, yet Africa is a major consumer of manufactured goods. This points to the adverse

negative effects that colonialism and imperialism brought about to African states. Despite the

attainment of independence in most African states, many states were unable to disentangle

themselves from their colonial masters. This was due to the fundamental correlation that the

African economy had with the economies of their colonizers. These intrinsic ties made it

nearly impossible for the indigenous economies to develop on their own. Further research

into this research topic reveals that African states need to disentangle themselves from their

colonial overlords through the creation of indigenous economy, identity, culture, education,

and technology. However, this is only possible through the facilitation of good governance

across the continent. 

Introduction

Colonialism refers to the domination of one state by another on the grounds of state

power being seized by a foreign power. First, colonialism seeks to obtain political domination

in the host state. The second phase constitutes exploitation of the state being colonized. From

the context of African colonialism, this phenomenon took place between the 1800s to the late

1900s. Colonialism is an ally of imperialism, a phenomenon that is a direct result of the latter.

However, not all imperialism constitutes colonialism. Looking back at history, there are

several factors that ushered in the concept of colonialism. One major factor was the evolution

of the modes of production in Europe. Due to the industrial revolution, a new process of

production was introduced. This revolutionary move presented a fundamental need for raw
 Running Head: Impact of Colonialism on Africa and its Economic Development 3

materials as European nations strived to invest their accumulated capital. This inevitably led

to the colonization of African states. This research paper strives to dissect some of the

impacts that colonialism and its all imperialism had on the economic development of African

states. To better understand this, the paper is divided into different headings. First, it looks at

the reasons and strategies used in the colonization of Africa. Then it broadly looks at the

impacts of colonialism on Africa’s economic development. 

What Necessitated the Colonization of Africa?

The first factor that necessitated colonization in Africa was the industrial revolution

which sparked prompt changes in the technological and socio-economic realms in Europe.

This revolution increased production as industries became more efficient. However,

agriculture was not able to satisfy the huge demands of industries that required raw materials.

This meant that European powers had to source raw materials outside their territories to fulfil

the demands in their industries. The other problem was the urban population which was

growing at an enormous rate. This created another problem involving how to feed this

population in the urban centres. There was also the need for a market for the finished

products which were manufactured by the European powers (Manning, 1974). Africa was an

ideal market for these products which were produced at a faster rate through the appropriation

of technology.

Industrialists also made huge profits and at a faster rate. The reason was that they

were paying their workers very low wages. This meant that they made more than they could

invest. Imperialism emerged from this phenomenon. As the overlords sought ways to invest

their under-utilized capital. The end result was that Europe set out to seek raw materials for

her factories and manpower for her plantations and mines. European merchants went further

and sought to eliminate African middlemen in the quest to make more profits for Europe.
 Running Head: Impact of Colonialism on Africa and its Economic Development 4

Their main goal was to supervise African production, this inevitably resulted in conflict

between the African chiefs and the colonialists. As they strived to take full control of the

African economy, the conflicts escalated. The situation escalated to a point where colonialists

had to take total control of the economy and direct it so as to obtain the raw materials that

they needed so much (Modernity, 2013). The same applied to the political administration so

that they yielded absolute power against the African economy. 

Colonialism Impact in Africa

A critical analysis of the impacts of colonialism in Africa points to the under-

development of many spheres of life. First, there are those who argue that colonization of

Africa had positive impacts in areas such as education and western civilization. But this is

only a superficial argument that does not look at the broader scope. Part of African

underdevelopment can be attributed to the shallowness of colonial education and subjugation.

This is because that education had not perfect background in the African context and culture,

it, therefore, lacked meaningfulness in the African environment. The colonial education was

literal and theoretical, lacking in technological significance or industrial application. Colonial

education laid a perfect backdrop for the underdevelopment in Africa. Their main goal was to

educate artisans, clerks, and inspectors. All of which was aimed at exploiting African

resources. Their education was not geared towards the industrialization of Africa or

technological development (The Routledge, 2016). That was not their goal in the long run.

Colonial education dislodged the patterns of education in African technology.

Africans were doing a pretty great job as technologists. They were appropriating the

locally available materials and resources to improve their way of life. The colonial education

led Africans to disown their technological skills in pursuit of writing and reading. This laid a

perfect backdrop for the underdevelopment in African states. Since colonial education was
 Running Head: Impact of Colonialism on Africa and its Economic Development 5

not rooted in the African environment and culture, it failed to fulfil technological and

economic development. 

Colonialism Distorted African Economy

Colonialism had a negative impact on the African economy. First, the colonialists

dislodged markets, production of goods, social amenities, transport, and traders. This was

done through the division of labour at the international level. All this worked to the

disadvantage of the Africans. Africans played the role of producing raw materials and were

discouraged from manufacturing goods. Africans were only allowed to venture into

processing industries that prepared raw materials for export into European countries

(Heldring & Robinson, 2017). 

To put matters into perspective, Africans produced raw materials which were bought

at a low price. On the other hand, manufactured goods were very expensive. This inevitably

impoverished Africans. Africans were also compelled to produce goods for export, which

would benefit the colonialists. This meant that Africans focused on the wrong priorities by

forgetting to feed the local population with the goods they needed. In the long run, Africans

were faced with food shortages and were unable to cater to the growing population. As a

result, the food prices escalated. Ideally, colonialism dislodged the fulfillment of local needs

in the scope of food production (MASELAND, 2017).

In retrospect, Africans focused their energy on satisfying the needs of the colonial

overlords. Colonialism also disorganized African trades and markets which were present.

These markets and trades had been put in place to facilitate the needs of the local population.

But the colonialist introduced a different way of life and other needs. Therefore, traditional

markets and trades were rendered useless. This affected the African model of development

and growth from an economic perspective. Colonialists disrupted the progressive growth of

the African economy. They introduced the African economy into the global economy without
 Running Head: Impact of Colonialism on Africa and its Economic Development 6

creating room for the internal dynamics to flourish within the African context. This premature

integration into the world economy was based on the export-import orientation (Mohan,

1978). The forces of production were not given room to advance and through this hijacking

process, the colonialists were the ones benefitting while the African economy was suffering.

This premature introduction meant that the African economy could not withstand the shocks

emanating from the international market. As a result, African economies are perpetual

debtors due to trade imbalance and the comparative advantage that colonists enjoy.

The lack of organic connection between the industries abroad and the raw materials

produced in Africa meant that Africa could not advance. Mainly because of the lack of

multiplier and accelerator effects that boost economic development. All this can be attributed

to the export-import model that colonialism introduces. The industrial sector abroad and the

agricultural sector in Africa had no connection. The surplus profits which were acquired in

Africa were not pumped back into the economy, thus creating deficits in the African

economy. This created a propensity for Africans to constantly import from developed nations,

instead of relying on their own goods. 

CONCLUSION

Colonists acquired colonies in Africa for their own selfish interests. As mentioned

earlier, their main goal was to search for raw materials and new markets for their industries.

Their industries produced goods at a fast rate and this necessitated the need for new markets.

As a result of the industrial revolution, the colonialists needed to provide food for the

escalating numbers in the urban population. They, therefore, made their way to Africa where

they sought raw materials for their industries. This presented major problems for the African

economy. The dual economic structure created a scenario where Africans were reliant on the

colonial overlords for their manufactured goods. The dislodged way of life in different

spheres created multiple problems for the African economy. This applied to areas such as
 Running Head: Impact of Colonialism on Africa and its Economic Development 7

transport, economy, education, market, and trade (Bandeira Jerónimo, 2018). The situation

escalated to a point where colonialists had to take total control of the economy and direct it so

as to obtain the raw materials that they needed so much. The same applied to the political

administration so that they yielded absolute power against the African economy.

Colonialism also disorganized African trades and markets which were present. These

markets and trades had been put in place to facilitate the needs of the local population. But

the colonialist introduced a different way of life and other needs. Therefore, traditional

markets and trades were rendered useless. This affected the African model of development

and growth from an economic perspective. Colonialists disrupted the progressive growth of

the African economy. They introduced the African economy into the global economy without

creating room for the internal dynamics to flourish within the African context. This premature

integration into the world economy was based on the export-import orientation. The forces of

production were not given room to advance and through this hijacking process, the

colonialists were the ones benefitting while the African economy was suffering. This

premature introduction meant that the African economy could not withstand the shocks

emanating from the international market. As a result, African economies are perpetual

debtors due to trade imbalance and the comparative advantage that developed nations have. 
 Running Head: Impact of Colonialism on Africa and its Economic Development 8

REFERENCES

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African Political Economy, 5(11), 31–39.

https://doi.org/10.1080/03056247808703348

Manning, P. (1974). Analyzing the costs and benefits of colonialism. African Economic

History Review, 1(2), 15. https://doi.org/10.2307/3601097

MASELAND, R. O. B. B. E. R. T. (2017). Is colonialism history? the declining impact of

colonial legacies on African institutional and Economic Development. Journal of

Institutional Economics, 14(2), 259–287.

https://doi.org/10.1017/s1744137417000315

Heldring, L., & Robinson, J. A. (2017). Colonialism and development in Africa.

Oxford Handbooks Online.

https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199845156.013.10

Bandeira Jerónimo, M. (2018). Portuguese colonialism in Africa. Oxford Research

Encyclopedia of African History.

https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190277734.013.183

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