Africa must industrialize: 10 key points that African leaders committed to at the just concluded summit on industrialization and economic diversification

With increasingly growing concern over the slow progress in the implementation of the Industrial Development Decades for Africa (IDDA) I, II and III; the Strategy for the Implementation of the Action Plan for Accelerated Industrial development of Africa (AIDA); and other continental strategies and programmes relevant to industrialization, structural transformation and development towards the achievement of the African Union Agenda 2063, African leaders have committed to far-reaching and firm decisions to accelerate industrialization, economic diversification and trade on the continent, with full ownership by the citizens.

Africa’s Manufacturing Future Starts Here

A thriving young workforce, a resource-rich landscape, and an open-for-business attitude make Africa primed for a manufacturing boom. Much of the continent is focused on utilising sustainable energy sources and holds a unified commitment to policies that are not only favourable for trade and commerce but also vested in the social and economic upliftment of local communities.

Charting a Way Forward for Manufacturers in a Post-pandemic Era

Industrialists are restructuring their businesses to swiftly adapt and remain competitive following COVID-19’s carnage. Manufacturers have always prioritized health and safety measures. However, COVID-19 has highlighted the necessity for superior levels of worker safety. As manufacturers resume production, social distancing in the workplace, hygiene and hand sanitisation will remain mandatory. Further, they will need to optimize movements as well as build limited contact into production processes. Manufacturers need to look at the entire manufacturing process and monitor all possible interactions.