By: Zachary Kagan Guthrie

Analyzing colonial firm accounts, this article uncovers the economic dynamics of forced wage labor in Portuguese Africa. It reveals how colonial enterprises exploited local labor systems to maximize profitability, often at the expense of African workers’ well-being. The study highlights the economic rationale behind forced labor practices, showing their integral role in the colonial economy. Through detailed financial records, the article illustrates the disparities in earnings and working conditions, shedding light on the broader implications of colonial labor policies for economic development and social inequality. The findings contribute to understanding the enduring economic legacies of colonialism in Africa.