Barriers to human capital development: Case studies in Swaziland, Cameroon and Kenya Matthew D. Moore

Past and present literature has suggested that human capital is a key socio-economic development tool (Nam, Sonobe, and Otsuka 2010; Quisumbing, and McNiven 2010). Countries are encouraged to expand and develop a robust educational system, yet many of these countries face barriers to development through human capital. This paper used case studies to examine the barriers that have presented obstacles to human capital development in Swaziland, Cameroon, and Kenya. The findings suggest that all three countries have experienced barriers that prevent human capital development due to HIV/AIDS, land tenure issues, and political corruption. The authors suggest that all three barriers work interdependently to stifle economic growth by preventing social and economic development by barring the acquisition of human capital.