Why are some of these west african countries so poor

[Barkhadle1520]

I was watching this documentary about Guinea and its crazy how under developed and primitive the country is




I checked the population and its only 15 million people

I checked the government's annual budget and its around 3 billion, more than all Somali governments combined with a smaller population, their country is also rich in natural resources

I just dont understand where all that money goes, 3 billion annual budget is enough to develop that country in less than a decade, theres no way a few people in the government are embezzling billions, where are their natural resources going ? Sometimes I really pitty these people

The level of corruption is so bad its almost fascinating, I just cant believe it sometimes

 

[Barkhadle1520]

This channel also showcases how hard it is to live and build a nation in that type of climate, their roads are a nightmare due to the constant rain, really makes you thankful for having a flat desertic country

 

[Midas]

Governments cant build economies at the end of the day. Its the merchant class and the markets that create the economy. Even china realized that without letting the market do its thing it would never build an economy simply using state power.

Also everything ultimately also comes down to your location and the opportunities available to you. The economic success of somali buisnessman cant be removed from the fact that the gulf oil boom created a massive demand for livestock and somalis who had historically been the source for livestock in Arabia benefited massively. This was the initial capital source that started everything.

Almost any economic success story you can think of has similar roots. Its always as a combination of factors that puts you in the right place at the right time that gets the ball rolling. This applies both to the jews and western Europeans.

 

[Barkhadle1520]

Governments cant build economies at the end of the day. Its the merchant class and the markets that create the economy. Even china realized that without letting the market do its thing it would never build an economy simply using state power.

Also everything ultimately also comes down to your location and the opportunities available to you. The economic success of somali buisnessman cant be removed from the fact that the gulf oil boom created a massive demand for livestock and somalis who had historically been the source for livestock in Arabia benefited massively. This was the initial capital source that started everything.

Almost any economic success story you can think of has similar roots. Its always as a combination of factors that puts you in the right place at the right time that gets the ball rolling. This applies both to the jews and western Europeans.

But wouldn't the economy naturally grow if they just paved these roads ? how can 30kms take 2 days thats just crazy honestly

 

[NawafAS11]

To be fair Guinea are extremely politically unstable. Most of the West African francophone countries are ran by dictators that are essentially colonial lapdogs.

 

[Barkhadle1520]

To be fair Guinea are extremely politically unstable. Most of the West African francophone countries are ran by dictators that are essentially colonial lapdogs.

I get that but where does the billions in government budget go, you're telling me they dont spend a dime on the most important roads in the country ? There has to be more to the story

 

[NawafAS11]

I get that but where does the billions in government budget go, you're telling me they dont spend a dime on the most important roads in the country ? There has to be more to the story

Paris is their Nairobi

 

[Midas]

But wouldn't the economy naturally grow if they just paved these roads ? how can 30kms take 2 days thats just crazy honestly

Im guessing Its just very easy to pocket most of the money espcially if its split over the entire group of elites. Espciaally since francophone countries are extremely tightly bound to France.