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.
Members from households that were predominantly rural ranchers or farmers moved to cities or participated in government-sponsored construction projects in colonies to earn money for taxes. The new colonial economies in Africa heavily depended on the development of towns and infrastructure (like railways), whereas in South Africa, booming mining operations fueled economic growth.