SINCE 1956, more than 100 million Africans have won their independence. In the U.N. Assembly, they carry considerable weight. Their attitudes are considered part of "world opinion," their allegiance is eagerly sought by East and West, and their new nationhood is widely celebrated as progress. Yet by any measurement, material or spiritual, most of the new Africa still is a long, heartbreaking distance away from modern civilization.
In Nyasaland last week, some of the world's leading economists discussed African economic and social problems. Among the greatest obstacles, they agreed, are abysmal shortages of capital and human skills. Though most countries are friendly to the West, their determination to be rid of colonial or "neocolonial" influence increases their difficulties. Moreover, most are not "nations," but uneasy groupings of diverse peoples, with little understanding of democracy—hence the need felt for strong, one-party governments.
TIME here surveys 24 independent new states and three near-independent territories below the Sahara—where statistics hardly exist. Nonetheless, what data can be gathered illustrate a battle far bigger than the fight for independence: a battle to establish a minimum of order, education and material wellbeing.
Culture Political Maturity Problems & Prospects
1. NIGERIA (Br.) Pop.: 42,000,000. Size: 356,669 sq. mi. Literacy: 24%. School attendance: * 55%. College graduates: ** over 5,000. Christians: 20%. Five universities, plus widespread adult literacy classes. Together with Ghana has more college graduates than all other black African states combined. Witchcraft, female circumcision still common in rural areas.
Political parties: 9. Voters: † 85%. Nigerians lead all other African peoples in basic comprehension of self-government, particularly where British ruled indirectly through tribal authorities and democratically elected councils. Political campaigns are fierce but free. In Northern Region, voting restricted to males.
Exports: Cocoa, palm products, peanuts. Per capita income: $88. U.S. aid (1961): $13,200,000. Moderate Prime Minister Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa holds together three disparate regions and 250 tribes that lack a truly national outlook. G.N.P. has soared 50% (to $3 billion) in decade.
2. GHANA (Br.) Pop.: 6,700,000. Size: 92,000 sq. mi. Literacy: 25%. School enrollment: 600,000. College graduates: 4,500. Christians: 28%. Most people practice old animist religions, but violent rites largely gone. Some 5,000 Ghanaians studying in West, reflecting increased college attendance in African nations.
Political parties: 2. Voters: 54%. From tribal institutions and British rule, most Ghanaians comprehend representative government, but Moscow-leaning Kwame Nkrumah misrules country as autocracy. Opposition has only eight members in 112-seat Parliament, many more are in jail.
Exports: Cocoa, timber, diamonds. Per capita income: $220. U.S. aid (1961): $22,600,000. Soviet aid: $196 million. Grows one-third of world's cocoa, but ran $100 million trade deficit in 1961. Volta Project (U.S. loans: $133 million) will enable Ghana to exploit rich bauxite deposits.