The Growth of Economics in Africa

Introduction

The African country that will form the basis of this paper is Kenya. Kenya is a major regional player in east Africa commanding a significantly higher gross domestic product than any other country in east Africa. Despite a steady growth in the country’s economy, there is a high unemployment rate. In a recent report published by the United Nations showed that the country’s rate of unemployment stood at 39.1%, which is the highest in East Africa, based on Human development index report(United Nations, 2016).

Key Issues in Kenya

Economic growth has consistently underperformed despite having better ratings to business in the world standings. Kenya has struggled to deal with key issues, which have had a detrimental influence on the country’s economy over the years. These factors include:

• drought,
• corruption
• politicaluncertainty.

The Kenyan market has been characterized with low job opportunities against the large growing population of unemployed especially the youths. The Kenyan labor market is dual in nature with a small number in formal sector with a significantly large informal sector, which makes it difficult to have an equally balanced economy. After the tough period the county witnessed in 2008, it has regained its economic focus reaching 5.8% in 2016. However, different players has not created a better environment where it would be possible to have a better understanding on important developmental projects within the country.

The fact that 40% of the country’s population shows that the developmental agenda of the country has not been effectively focused on key pillars of development which are aimed at creating a better environment where it would be possible to engage individuals within the country through economic empowerment and ensure that the levels of unemployment are reduced. As a key regional player, Kenya is expected to put in place crucial strategies to ensure that the economy is developed on string basis(The World Bank, 2016).

Drought

In February 2017, the Kenyan government declared drought a national disaster with millions of Kenyans suffering from hunger and starvation. This showed that the government could not deal with increasing effects of drought and sought help from the international community. Despite the fact that the country boasts availability of key water bodies such as the Indian ocean, little has been done to create a better environment where important policies can be developed to help alleviate the effects of drought especially in the Northern region of the country.

The drought in Kenya has been detrimental to the development of the economy since the high number of hunger stricken population, which stands at approximately 3 million, has threatened important aspects such as healthcare and food security. Only 20% of the country receives high and regular rainfall, which means that the remaining 80% is made of semi-arid and arid. The Kenyan economy is highly dependent on agricultural produce making up of at least 23% of the economy. High levels of crop failure and lack of food security means that the country is susceptible to economic downfall. The country has been over reliant on food imports, which significantly limit the economic growth of the country(Welch, 2013).

Corruption

Kenya is one of the highly corrupt countries in the world and thus as a result, there are many who have acquired wealth through fraudulent means. The inability of the government to implement strict measures in dealing with high level of corruption has made it easier for government officials to loot public coffers with no legal actions taken. There have been major corruptions scandals involving government ministries, which have tainted the government, resolve to fight corruption. A notable fraud in recent years was at the National Youth service where ghost companies were awarded money for orders not delivered. High level of corruption has played a key role in limiting the country’s economic developing and increasing the level of unemployment. Very few people dominate the majority(The World Bank, 2016).

Political uncertainty

The Kenyan political climate has been extreme in recent past between the government and the opposition causing tensions across the country. The political landscape in divided on ethnic lines, which have threatened to torn the country apart. It is very difficult to focus on nation building when there exists high level of anxiety and poor political will, which are detrimental to the country’s economic system(United Nations publication, 2017).

Trends

The country has been on slump over the recent years considering the fact that in 2004 the country established a gross domestic growth of 6.1%, which is the highest to have developed in the country. In 2005, the increase in gross domestic product reduced to 5.9% and 5.1% in 2011. In 2016, the country had an increase in gross domestic product of 5.8% although the unfavorable political environment in 2017 has led to a slump of 5.5%. The country’s gross domestic product is expected to recover in 2018 at 5.8% and 6.1% in 2019. This development in gross domestic product will be based on how the country will be able to recover from its current political crisis and establish important strategies, which will ensure that there is a better environment, which will form the basis of economic development(The World Bank, 2017).