Economic and Social Development in West Africa

摘要

West Africa, extending from Cape Verde to Zaire, includes 22 countries with a total land mass larger than that of the United States, but with a smaller population (190 million) and a GNP only as large as Switzerland's ($63 billion). This report provides a brief overview of development in West Africa (in terms of demography, quality of life, agriculture, economic growth and income distribution, trade, debt service, and foreign assistance) and discusses areas of development assistance. Although most of the region's labor force is engaged in agriculture, population increases have outpaced increases in food staple production. This, combined with drought, cattle disease, inadequate agricultural infrastructure, and a shortage of trained manpower, has increased West Africa's food dependency. Also discussed are needs and A.I.D. strategies in regard to livestock, rural development, food aid, transport, river basins, health, nutrition, women, human resources, population, housing, environment, and energy.