Agriculture accounts for about 60% of the

Analyze the question: It asks which West African economic feature agriculture accounts for roughly 60% of. This is a fact-recall question about the structure of West African economies.

Explain the concept: In most West African countries (Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso and others), agriculture is the main occupation. It employs most of the working population, mainly through small-scale and subsistence farming. Its contribution to GDP, by contrast, is usually lower and varies by country.

Go through the options:

• A. Commodity market in West Africa: Agriculture is a major part of exports, but "60% of the commodity market" is not a standard statistic. Oil, gold and cocoa all feature prominently, so this is not the best fit.
• B. Arable land in West Africa: Agriculture uses arable land. It does not account for a percentage of it, so this does not make sense.
• C. Active labour force in West Africa: This is the standard textbook fact. Roughly 60% of the economically active population in West Africa works in agriculture (farming, fishing, forestry and livestock).
• D. Service sector activities: Agriculture is a primary sector activity, so it cannot be a share of the service sector.

Agriculture accounts for about 60% of the active labour force in West Africa.

Tip: For JAMB Economics, remember the pattern "agriculture = biggest employer." When a question gives a percentage for agriculture in a developing economy, think labour force/employment first. Do not confuse this with its share of GDP or exports, which is usually different.