Theory question 103
Manufacturing Industry(a) Highlight five characteristics of manufacturing industries in Tropical African countries. (b) Outline five problems of manufacturing industries in your country.
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(a) Mostly light, consumer-goods industries; concentrated in capital and port cities; mainly import-substitution and processing of agricultural raw materials; small scale and labour intensive; dependence on imported machinery, spare parts and raw materials; much foreign ownership or capital; low technology; operate below installed capacity; produce mainly for home markets.
(b) (Nigeria) Erratic power supply; inadequate capital and high interest rates; poor infrastructure (roads, water); shortage of local raw materials and spare parts; shortage of skilled manpower; competition from imported and smuggled goods; low purchasing power; multiple taxes and policy changes; insecurity; corruption.
Five points in each part.