Stealing Africa

Zambias copper resources have not made the country rich Virtually all Zambias copper mines are owned by corporations In the last ten years theyve extracted copper worth 29 billion but Zambia is still ranked one of the twenty poorest countries in the world So why hasnt copper wealth reduced poverty in Zambia Once again it comes down to the issue of tax or in Zambias case tax avoidance and the use of tax havens Tax avoidance by corporations costs poor countries and estimated 160 billion a year almost double what they receive in international aid Thats enough to save the lives of 350000 children aged five or under every year For every 1 given in aid to a poor country 10 drains out Vital money that could help a poor country pay for healthcare schools pensions and infrastructure Money that would make them less reliant on aid