UNIDO eyes innovation to accelerate industrial growth in Africa
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frican countries should leverage innovations and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence to hasten industrial growth, as well as tackle poverty, unemployment and inequality, a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) official said Tuesday.
Tally Einav, the UNIDO representative to Kenya, Eritrea, South Sudan, Seychelles, and Comoros, emphasized that for African nations to sustain industrialization, harnessing local innovations and sharing best practices alongside skills development is critical. Speaking at a forum ahead of the African Industrialization Week, which will be held in Kampala, Uganda, from November 25 to 29, Einav stated that the continent is on the cusp of an industrial takeoff that promises shared prosperity, competitiveness of locally manufactured goods, and job creation. "We acknowledge that industrialization is vital to addressing socioeconomic challenges including poverty, unemployment, and inequality," Einav said. She highlighted that sustainable industrialization must be at the core of Africa's efforts to meet the sustainable development goals and achieve the aspirations of Agenda 2063, as reported by Xinhua news agency. This year's Africa Industrialization Week will be held under the theme of "Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Green Industrialization to Accelerate Africa's Structural Transformation." Einav noted that multilateral institutions have rallied behind the continent's industrialization agenda, which seeks to boost value addition and exports while injecting vitality into supply chains. According to Einav, harnessing innovations and cleaner technologies will ensure that Africa's industrialization agenda promotes climate response, inclusive growth, and intra-continental trade. She remarked that the AU Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area serve as foundations for value addition, cross-border trade, and strengthening regional value chains to accelerate growth. Developing a robust indigenous manufacturing sector is paramount to cushion African countries from disruptions in global supply chains caused by geopolitical tensions and climatic shocks. Einav suggested that African countries should diversify their industrial base by leveraging their vast natural resources endowment alongside a youth bulge and a growing middle class. She also called for investments in supportive infrastructure and skills development while involving the private sector to foster innovation and competitiveness in the continent's industrial sector.
✔️ UNIDO eyes innovation to accelerate industrial growth in Africa
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