spot_imgspot_img
Friday, November 8, 2024

POLICY AND ECONOMIC REFORMS KEY FOR AFRICA’S INDUSTRIALIZATION REVOLUTION

Date:

ADDIS ABABA – Inclusive and sustainable approaches are critical for Africa’s industrial development, says Stephen Karingi, Director, Regional Integration and Trade Division, Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).

“Industrialization is as a result of good policy. We need commitment by member states on policy and economic reforms that are home grown to promote industrialization on the continent,” said Mr Karingi.

The ECA Director made the remarks at the High-Level Development Dialogue: How could Africa leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to spur sustainable inclusive industrialization at the ongoing African Economic Conference (AEC) 2023 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia (16 -18 November 2023).

AEC is jointly organized by the African Development Bank, the Economic Commission for Africa and the United Nations Development Programme, under the theme “Imperatives for sustainable industrial development in Africa” in 2023.

The Conference will provide an opportunity for participants to review the experience of industrialization on the continent.

Mr Karingi noted that the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is to unite African economies and create one single market for 1.5 billion people in Africa to promote African trade. This requires political will by the member states

While giving the lessons learnt by Ethiopia from other industrialized countries, Melaku Alebel, Minister of Industry, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia said Ethiopia is actively pursuing various mechanisms on manufacturing through AfCFTA to create employment opportunity, economic growth. To promote industrialization, Ethiopia has highly invested in policy and regulatory reforms.

On infrastructure, Ethiopia’s minister said that the country has heavily invested in infrastructure particularly railway, airlines energy, and road.

Focus is on manufacturing industry to create employment opportunity. In this case light manufacturing.

He said that Africa has a huge labour potential but should be educated for efficiency.

Africa also needs to invest on export promotion and import substitution strategy for better trade balance.

Kevin Urama, Chief Economist and Vice-President, African Development Bank Group (AfDB) said to fully implement the AfCFTA African member states should prioritize production with focus on manufacturing.

“Countries should also investment more on infrastructure – the roads, rails, airlines – for moving goods to market and to improve factors of production and manufactured goods,” said Prof Urama. Adding that knowledge and governance capacity needs to be prioritized.

“Trade barriers among countries is still a challenge making trade difficult. There is need to invest in boarder agencies and customs to remove the barriers and improve efficacy of AfCFTA.”

Financial integration he said is key for trade to promote the cross boarder trading and increase liquidity.

Adam Elhiraika, Director of the Macroeconomics and Governance Division, ECA said there is need for a new narrative on Africa’s transformation through industrialization.

“Africa youth should challenge the narrative of Africa that the continent cannot integrate, industrialize. African can finance its development,” said Mr Elhiraika.

He noted that domestic resource mobilization in Africa needs a comprehensive macroeconomic policy that focus on structural transformation that focusses on industrialization as its tool.

“Africa contributes about 1.7% of global value chain which is very small. Value addition on the continent is a must. There is need to promote regional and local value chains not just for exports but also for local use,” said the ECA Director.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) aims to unite 54 diverse economies, creating a single market for 1.5 billion people in Africa.

smartnews
Smart News Liberia is an online news outlet and a product of Smart Media Group Inc. Our website, smartnewsliberia.com, covers a broad spectrum of news content. For inquiries or information, you can reach us at 0777425285 or 0886946925, or email us at smartnewsliberia@gmail.com or info@smartnewsliberia.com.

LATEST DEVELOPMENT

A HOUSE DIVIDED CANNOT STAND AS MADAM GUAR CONDEMNS PROTEST ON CAPITOL

MONROVIA – Madam Grace RK Guar, a U.S.-based Liberian...

NPHIL STRENGTHENS PUBLIC HEALTH WITH NEW GENOMIC SEQUENCING AMID MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK

MONROVIA – In a groundbreaking development for Liberia’s public...

A MILESTONE FOR LIBERIA’S HIGHER EDUCATION, BUT CHALLENGES REMAIN

The launch of Liberia’s first doctoral programs at the...

BOAKAI’S MISPLACED AMBITIONS AS LIBERIA BLEEDS AND THE PRESIDENT COURTS GLOBAL VANITY

Eight months into his presidency, Joseph Boakai’s administration is...

TAKE IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT THE SPREAD OF MPOX – STAY ALERT, STAY PROTECTED

As Liberia confronts the resurgence of Mpox, the confirmation...

NO JUSTIFICATION FOR HIGH SALARIES OF BOAKAI ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS AMID ECONOMIC STRUGGLES

In the midst of Liberia's current economic struggles, revelations...

COMMENTARY

THE MASS DISMISSAL OF LIBERIAN PUBLIC SERVANTS: A TROUBLING TREND UNDER THE BOAKAI ADMINISTRATION

A Commentary by Wondah L. Jah Since assuming the presidency,...

SECURITY RISKS: IS PRESIDENT BOAKAI UNKNOWINGLY SETTING THE STAGE FOR EARLY COUP D’ÉTAT?

In his commentary, Liberian political analyst Vandalerk R. Patricks...

IS JOSEPH BOAKAI LISTENING TO PROTESTS AROUND AFRICA?

A Commentary By Wondah L. Jah In January, Joseph Boakai,...

LATEST NEWS

MCSS EMPLOYEES ISSUE SEVEN-DAY ULTIMATUM TO PRES. BOAKAI OVER APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT SUPT. ROBERTSON

MONROVIA – The employees of the Monrovia Consolidated School...

QUESTIONS OF ACCOUNTABILITY HAUNT BOAKAI’S GOVERNMENT AMID INAUGURAL CONTROVERSIES

MONROVIA, LIBERIA – Concerns about accountability and transparency are...

PRESSURE MOUNTS ON COMMERCE MINISTER TO ACCOUNT FOR PRO-POOR LOAN

MONROVIA, LIBERIA – A storm is brewing at the...

Share post:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

OPINION

LIBERIANS ARE IN AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE UP AND CDC

  An Opinion By Grace RK Guar Every six...

AMERICA’S NEGLECT OF LIBERIA: A CALL FOR CHANGE

An Opinion By Bishop Dr. Rudolph Q. Kwanue, Sr A...

AMID AN UNENDING WAR AGAINST POVERTY, INJUSTICES – HAS THE PROGRESSIVE STRUGGLE BECOME LOST IN TRANSLATION?

A Patriot's Diary With Ekena Wesley What manner of Liberian progressives...

HAS PRESIDENT BOAKAI’S GOVERNMENT BEGUN BEARING GOOD FRUITS? (PART1)

By Jacob N.B. Parley Following a careful reflection, I have...

ELEVATING THE AG BIBLE COLLEGE TO A UNIVERSITY: A MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENT

By Jacob N.B. Parley After many years of successful preaching...

THE GALLERY

spot_imgspot_img

MORE ARTICLES

spot_imgspot_img

MORE NEWS

LATEST DEVELOPMENT NEWS

LATEST CRIME NEWS

Share via
Copy link