The current african underdevelopment is a historical phenomenon. Justify.

The term 'underdevelopment' doesn't mean the absence of developent but  a comparative term to compare the level of development between African, Asian and Latin American countries to developed countries like Britain, U.S.A, France and China.

The developed countries are characterized by heavy industries, high technology, high production, good living standards and high per capital income.

The underdeveloped countries lag behind the developed countries in terms of industries, rate of production, life expectancy and living standards.

Therefore the African current underdevelopent should be traced as far back as from the 15th century.

 The following is a historical account on the African underdevelopent;

1. The unequal trade relation between Africa and Asia from the 8th century to 15th century A D. 

During this trade the commodities exchanged between these two sides had no equal value; For Instance; From Africa Asians obtained gold from Mwanemutapa, copper from Katanga-Zambia, Ivory, Rhinnoceros horns and Slaves. In return Africans received less valuable products like beads, jars, gunpowder, porcelain, silk, beakers, daggers and spices from Middle and Far East.

This unequal exchange led to exploitation of African human and Natural resources leading to the Economic gap.

2. The merchantile exploitation by the Europeans. 

Up to the 15th century the level of economy between Africa and Europe was almost the same.

In Africa there was social, Economic and political development that was superior to some places in the world For Instance; 

There were iron smelting Industries in areas like Nok and Meroe,

Egyptians had invented calendar and form of writting known as hieroglyphics.

Ancient Universities like Fez in Morocco and Timbuktu in Mali show how far Africa had reached in Education.

Trading activities like the Trans Saharan trade was a notable commercial achievement.

But after the coming of Merchants  from Europe searching for bullions (gold and silver); the situation changed. Europe overtook Africa in development through unequal exchange whereby they took bullions in exchange for manufactured goods. This created a gap in economy and Africa started to lag behind.

3. The Slave Trade especially the Triangular/Trans Atlantic Slave Trade.

This trade led to the heavy Exploitation of Both African human and natural resouces. African human and natural resources which were supposed to be used for African development were taken to develop Europe and America. This created economic gap between Africa and today's developed countries.

4. The introduction of colonialism or Imperialism. The colonial powers from Europe invaded African continent and devided it among themselves for the exploitation of raw materials, areas for investment of surplus capital, and markets for their manufactured goods. 

Imperialism made africans to lose political, social and economic freedom.
The colonialists used this chance to rob african resources through forced labour, Taxation, and land annexation. These went hand in hand with the

• Destruction of local industries
• Destruction of African education
• Destruction of Local trade and
• Destruction of self sustained african economy.

5. Neo-colonialism. This is the continuation of European political, social and economic Exploitation in African countries despite the flag independence.

 The former colonial masters continued with economic, political and social links with their former colonies by providing loans with higher interests and conditions like the case of Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), fixing price for trading commodities, selling the obsolete technologies to Africa and influencing political issues like the case of Libya and DR Congo crises.

Through these links, The African continent is still being exploited, widening the developent gap even further.

* To narrow the gap,
1.Africans should try technological modification in order to manufacture its own products for consuption and export in order to avoid UNFAIR trade relations.

2. Full utilization of available resources for Africa's developent to avoid dependence on foreign exploitative and tricky loans.

3.Africa should unite and become 'one' by sharing resources of African Motherland for development of Africans instead of giving them to 'Neo-colonialists' freely leaving majority of Africans in accute poverty.

4. Avoidance of Political manipulation by avoiding 'misconception of western democracy' which causes chaos in poor Africa.

5. Africa should put to an end the feeling of inferiority to Europeans, work hard and make critical research on Agriculture, education, mining sector and Rational politics which leads to Social, Political and scientific inventions and discoveries for today and future Generation.