African Trade

In 1914 the commerce between Africa and the U. S. amounted to $47,000,000. In 1924 it had grown to $160,000,000-- an increase of 24%. Meanwhile, African trade with the rest of the world had shown an increase of only 140%. This showing is all the more remarkable when it is remembered that Africa is owned by European nations who need her raw materials, and have long cultivated her markets for their goods. There are about 11,500,000 sq. mi. in Africa; England and France control about 4,500,000 sq. mi. of it apiece, Belgium holds about 1,000,000 and the remaining 1,500,000 belongs to Portugal, Italy and other countries. Yet 85% of U. S. exports to Africa last year consisted of manufactured goods.

Transportation facilities are rapidly being created in the "Dark Continent." The Cape-to-Cairo route of about 5,000 miles by rail and water lacks only 300 miles of railway line. Also, the Benguella railway line from the Katanga copper fields to the African west coast is largely completed, and the unfinished portion is being steadily lessened. Altogether there are 23,000 miles of existing railway mileage in Africa, which provide freight as well as passenger facilities. More and more African railways are used for commerce; in the beginning they were patronized mainly by travelers.

Already there are large amounts of U. S. capital invested in Africa, principally in the Katanga copper mines and the new Congo diamond fields. Yet for several years the shares of the Rand gold mines and the De Beers diamond mines have been listed in the New York Stock Exchange.