Economic Development in Africa Report 2011: Fostering Industrial Development in Africa in the New Global Environment

Pushed to the backburner since the 1980s, industrialisation appears to be making its come back as an important focus area of Africa's recent development visions/programmes. Tapping into this renewed interest, a report released yesterday by the UNCTAD and UNIDO argues that a new industrial policy is needed to induce structural transformation and engender development in African economies. 

The Report examines the status of industrial development in Africa with a focus on the identification of "stylized facts" associated with African manufacturing. It also provides an analysis of past attempts at promoting industrial development in the region and the lessons learned from these experiences. Furthermore, it offers policy recommendations on how to foster industrial development in Africa in the new global environment characterized by changing international trade rules, growing influence of industrial powers from the South, the internationalization of production, and increasing concerns about climate change.