Manufacturing: Africa’s route to productive growth
Opportunities presented by the fourth industrial revolution can offset the impact of Africa’s rapid population growth.
New ISS analysis of Africa’s long-term prospects points to opportunities that the fourth industrial revolution will bring. It also shows the challenges inherent in Africa’s rapidly growing population and the continued need for development assistance to poor countries.
Because of its high population growth rate, the only way that Africa can grow fast enough to improve livelihoods is by rapidly moving labour into more productive sectors, in particular manufacturing. Change will take time, however, and low-income countries will likely remain aid-dependent well into the future.
The seminar will release two recent ISS reports that include forecasts on the potential impact of industrialisation and development aid. Both show that a conversation on Africa’s demographic momentum is needed to reduce poverty and allow citizens to benefit from inclusive economic growth.
Chair: Amb Alfred Dube, Office Director, ISS Addis Ababa
Speakers:
Jakkie Cilliers, Head, African Futures and Innovation, ISS
Speaker from the African Union or United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, TBC
Picture: Media Club/Flickr
