Households which had primarily been rural ranchers or farmers proceeded to send members to work in the cities or on colonial government-sponsored construction projects to earn money to pay the tax. The new colonial economies in Africa were primarily reliant upon the construction of towns and infrastructure (such as railways), and in South Africa the rapidly expanding mining operations.
Households that were primarily rural ranchers or farmers sent members to work in cities or on government-sponsored construction projects in colonies to earn money for taxes. The new colonial economies in Africa relied heavily on the construction of towns and infrastructure (such as railways), while in South Africa, rapidly expanding mining operations drove economic growth.