(a) State four reasons for the concentration of manufacturing industries in the capital cities of Tropical African countries (b) Give three reasons for the predominance of consumer oriented industries in Tropical Africa (c) Describe three contributions of manufacturing industries to the economic development of Tropical African countries.
Explanation
(a) Reasons for the concentration of manufacturing industries in the capital cities of Tropical African countries (i) Availability of labour (ii) Availability of transport network (iii) Nearness of seaports and airports (iv) Presence of infrastructural facilities (v) Presence of large market (vi) Availability of capital (vii) Availability of power supply (viii) Availability of raw materials (ix) Economies of scale or agglomeration. (b) Reasons for the predominance of consumer-oriented industries in Tropical Africa (a) Inadequate skilled labour (b) Availability of raw materials (c) Inadequate capital (d) Insufficient high technology (e) High demand for products (c) Contributions of manufacturing industries (1) Improved standard of living (2) Employ' opportunities (3) Development of infrastructures (4) Manpower / skilled development (5) Increases goods and services (6) Increases revenue generation (7) Increases exchange earning (8) Brings about transfer of technology (9) Brings about increase in gross national product (GNP) (10) Control of inflation due to mass production (11) Diversification of other sectors of the economy (12) Funding education and research.