Industrialization for Development
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.

Within the framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (1991-2000), the United Nations General Assembly, in 1989, proclaimed 20 November “Africa Industrialization Day” (A/RES/44/237). 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.

“Industrializing Africa: Renewed Commitment Towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization and Economic Diversification”
#AIW2021

Poster for the Summit 2021 with link to the website
Since 2018, Africa Industrialization Day has been commemorated with weeklong events.

The Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification has been postponed and will be convened in 2022. Updates on the reconvening of the Summit will be provided in due course on the official website.

Manufacturing growth in Africa (Quarter II 2021)
Compared to the second quarter of 2020, growth estimates - based on limited data availability for African countries - indicate a stable expansion of manufacturing output of 17.8 %. By contrast, a year ago, output dropped by 17.1 %, as COVID-19 forced many countries to impose containment measures.

In the current quarter, an expansion of manufacturing output was recorded in many African countries, such as South Africa (39.3 %), Rwanda (30.2 %), Senegal (22.6 %) and Nigeria (4.6 %).

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