The first alternative is correct (A).
In general, the countries colonized by European countries until the 1940s are the underdeveloped countries of Africa. These countries usually have a lower HDI than the world average because they do not have adequate hygiene, health and safety conditions. The same is true of GDP. After the independence of these countries, several civil wars and coups d'état make it difficult to establish a government capable of providing an adequate business environment. So GDP is usually lower than average.