Counting the Cost

Africa: Behind the smokescreen of charity

The continent receives billions in aid from wealthy countries, but are nations taking more than they are giving?

Africa receives billions in aid from wealthy countries, but a new report suggests that notion is actually a smokescreen for politicians and corporations to plunder Africa’s vast resources.

Aid to Africa amounts to less than $30bn but it is losing $192bn a year and it still remains unclear how much there is in illicit money that is squirelled away in tax havens and money loans to other governments.

 

So, does aid make a difference to the poor in the region? And are the different nations taking more than they are giving?

Counting the Cost discusses this and more with Martin Drewry, the director of Health Poverty Action.

undefined

Watch each week at the following times GMT: Friday: 2230; Saturday: 0930; Sunday: 0330; Monday: 1630.  Click here  for more  Counting the Cost .   

Follow Kamahl Santamaria  @KamahlAJE  and business editor Abid Ali  @abidoliverali .