Cultural Heritage and Economic Growth in Africa

Cultural heritage can indeed serve as an engine of economic growth and social inclusion. Across Africa, several examples reflect how cultural heritage can transform societies beyond their past and present historical legacies. 1. Tourism: One of the most tangible ways that cultural heritage boosts the economy is through tourism. For example, Egypt's ancient history and rich cultural heritage, including the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, pull in millions of tourists annually, contributing significantly to the country's GDP. 2. Job Creation: Heritage tourism also leads to job creation, not only directly within the tourism sector but also in related industries like food and beverage, transport, and arts and crafts. The Masai in Kenya, for instance, use their unique culture to attract tourists. They earn income through performances, selling traditional attire, artifacts, and providing tours of their homesteads. 3. Social Inclusion: Cultural heritage also fosters social inclusion by creating a shared identity and sense of belonging. The Robben Island Museum in South Africa, a World Heritage Site, symbolises struggle for freedom and equality. Here, cultural heritage goes beyond economic value, promoting social cohesion and reconciliation in a country that faced one of history's most notorious systems of racial discrimination. 4. Cultural Industries: Cultural heritage also contributes to economic development through cultural industries. In Senegal, the musical heritage has led to the development of a thriving music industry, and in Nigeria, Nollywood (film industry) draws on local languages, history, and folklore, becoming the country's second largest employer. From scholarly perspectives, cultural economists such as Throsby (2001) argues that cultural heritage has an 'economic value', capable of generating income, employment, and investment. Bakhshi, Hargreaves and Mateos-Garcia (2013) concur, advocating an approach that sees the economic and social impacts of culture and heritage as intertwined, not separate. Furthermore, Raymond Silverman (2015) highlights Africa's historic town Djenne's (Mali) cultural heritage as a tool for both economic growth and social stability. Through maintenance of the Great Mosque, the largest earth-built structure globally, Djenne has attracted international attention, generating tourism revenue, creating jobs & uniting communities towards shared goals. Moreover, UNESCO has emphasized the socio-economic potential of cultural heritage in Africa through their Global Report on Culture for Sustainable Urban Development (2016). In conclusion, harnessing cultural heritage for economic growth and social inclusion in Africa looks promising. However, it is important to balance commercialization and preservation to sustain cultural heritage for future generations.