Overview
Have you ever wondered why most of Africa stays poor while other nations prosper? This video addresses the role of African governments in the continuation of poverty and poor economies of this resource rich continent.

Enter your email address below to access these resources

To help ensure our emails reach your inbox, you may provide a personal email address to bypass school spam filters.

Lesson Insights

Grade level and subjects
• Recommended for grades 6-12
• Subjects: Economics
• Works in Classroom, Hybrid, and Homeschool settings

What students will learn
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
• list some explanations for the lack of prosperity in African nations;
• define economic freedom, free enterprise, tariffs, and corruption;
• explain how companies such as Tom’s Shoes actually harm African entrepreneurs; and
• formulate changes to improve economic conditions in Africa.

Key concepts and terms covered
Economic freedom, Free enterprise, Tariffs, and Corruption.

Sample discussion questions
• Magatte Wade, featured in this video, is an entrepreneur. What do entrepreneurs do?
• What were some of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals referred to in the video? [Inclusive and equitable education, climate change, and gender equality.] According to John Stossel, what is missing? Why does Magatte say that’s important?
• Economics involves the study of short-term and long-term consequences. What are the short-term consequences of providing free shoes? What are the long-term consequences?
• Images of some Africans drowning, and others being rescued from the ocean were shown. Why was this happening? What did Magatte say was the cause?
• Magatte said “Let’s create greater economic freedom in all countries so that all people everywhere get a chance to free enterprise.” What’s so important about free enterprise?

What’s in the free teacher’s guide
This printable 9-page Teacher's Guide includes a lesson description, learning objectives, key vocabulary, a fill-in viewing guide with answer key, discussion and analysis questions, and classroom activities.

Standards alignment
Aligned to state standards — use the SITC Standards Tool to match this video to the standards in your state.