Stunted Development Patterns in Africa: Culture or Colonial Past to Blame?

The paper aimed to discuss that, beyond the colonial past being the bane of stunted development patterns in Africa, culture and the cultural practices of African countries are the subterranean tyrant that has fostered and ensured the stunted development patterns and arrested growth in Africa. It adopted a qualitative research approach using conceptual and historical frameworks as its research methodology. The study relied on cultural determinism and modernisation theories for its theoretical framework. It challenged the dominant narrative that the colonial past legacies in African countries were to be solely blamed for its stunted development patterns. Whilst it agreed that colonialism dislocated development in Africa and was responsible for 80% blame, it argued that the African culture can be deemed to be responsible for the 20% of causes of stunted development, accounting for over 80% of the consequences being suffered. Therefore, 80% blame for the stunted development patterns in Africa lies with the colonial legacy and 20% with African culture. However, in the actual consequences of stunted development patterns being experienced, 80% was caused by the 20% blame of African culture. The African continent would either have to reinvent its culture or borrow from more progressive and development-oriented cultures to turn the tide of stunted development.