By
Junaidu Danladi
Industrial development is of critical importance for sustained and inclusive economic growth in African countries. Industry can enhance productivity, increase the capabilities of the workforce, and generate employment, by introducing new equipment and new techniques. Industrialization, with strong linkages to domestic economies, will help African countries achieve high growth rates, diversify their economies and reduce their exposure to external shocks. This will substantially contribute to poverty eradication through employment and wealth creation.
Indeed, Africa was both a centre of civilization and industrialization for centuries before the European colonization of the continent. Nineteenth century was very significant in the world industrialization. In Africa, it was an era of local industrial that produced variety of products for both local consumption and export to other areas. While in Europe, it was the period of industrial “revolution”, when the use of machines replaced human labor in the production. In fact, it was the quest for raw materials and viable market for surplus products that motivated the Europeans to colonize Africa from the end of the nineteenth century. The European colonization of Africa was a great hindrance to the African industrialization. The European colonial powers discouraged the advancement of African local industries. They had compelled the Africans to produce raw materials for export and patronize the European manufactured goods.
After the end of colonial rule, some of the African countries had introduced policies aimed at industrial growth in their respective countries especially between the 1960s and 1970s. However, the imposition of imperial liberal policies such as Structural Adjustment Programme, had destroyed the African industries.
International Day of African Industrialization is celebrated every 20th November since 1989 following the declaration of the day by the Organization of African Unity (O.A.U.) at its 25th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia conducted. The United Nations General Assembly, in December 1989, proclaimed 20 November “Africa Industrialization Day”. Since then, the United Nations System has held events on that day throughout the world to raise awareness about the importance of Africa’s industrialization and the challenges faced by the continent.
This year, Africa Industrialization Week is set to take place in Kampala, Uganda, from the 25th to the 29th of November 2024, under the theme “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Green Industrialization to Accelerate Africa’s Structural Transformation”.
The theme focuses on harnessing emerging technologies like AI and innovations in green manufacturing to accelerate Africa’s industrialization in a sustainable manner. The event aims to build stronger policy advocacy; harness the power of AI in reviving Africa’s industrial sectors; improve efficiency; boost productivity; and foster innovation in Africa’s industrialization agenda. However, instead of leveraging AI and green industrialization it, would be more appropriate for African leaders to focus on providing critical infrastructure and security for African industrial growth.
