Were there any benefits to African societies under colonial rule?

Yes, there were some benefits to African societies under colonial rule, including infrastructure development and educational advancements.

Under colonial rule, African societies saw significant infrastructure development. The colonial powers, particularly the British and French, built roads, railways, ports, and other infrastructure to facilitate the extraction and transportation of resources. This infrastructure, although primarily intended to serve colonial interests, also improved connectivity within African societies. For instance, the construction of the Uganda Railway by the British connected the interior of East Africa to the Indian Ocean, opening up previously isolated regions to trade and communication.

In addition to infrastructure, colonial rule also brought about advancements in education. The colonial powers established schools and introduced formal education systems, which were previously non-existent or less structured in many African societies. This led to an increase in literacy rates and provided a foundation for the development of a skilled workforce. For example, in Nigeria, the British introduced Western-style education, which has since evolved into one of the largest education systems in Africa.

Furthermore, colonial rule led to the introduction of modern healthcare systems in many African societies. Hospitals and clinics were established, and Western medicine was introduced, leading to improvements in public health and a reduction in mortality rates. For instance, in the Belgian Congo, now the Democratic Republic of Congo, the colonial administration established a network of medical facilities that significantly improved healthcare delivery.

However, it is important to note that these benefits were often secondary to the primary aim of colonial rule, which was to extract resources and exploit the local population. The infrastructure was primarily designed to facilitate resource extraction, the education systems often served to produce a compliant workforce, and healthcare improvements were frequently focused on ensuring a healthy labour force. Moreover, these benefits were unevenly distributed, with urban and coastal areas often receiving more investment than rural and interior regions. Therefore, while there were some benefits to African societies under colonial rule, they must be understood within the broader context of colonial exploitation and inequality.