Despite its vast natural wealth and growing youth population, Africa remains a marginal player in the global manufacturing ecosystem—accounting for just 1.9% of global manufacturing output, according to data presented at the inaugural African Industrial Forum (AIF), hosted virtually by the African Technology and Innovation Institutes (ATII).
Industry leaders, policymakers, academics, and innovators convened at the forum to decry the continent’s continued dependence on raw material exports and its failure to industrialise at scale, describing the trend as both unsustainable and economically limiting.
According to the African Development Bank, Africa holds more than 30% of the world’s mineral resources, yet its share of global industrial GDP remains under 3%. Furthermore, manufacturing contributes a modest 10–12% of GDP in most African economies, far below the threshold needed to drive sustainable economic transformation.
Leading the dialogue was Prof. Rose-Margaret Ekeng-Itua, an engineering scholar and convener of the forum, who described the statistics as a sobering indictment of Africa’s development path and a call to urgently reimagine its economic model.“Africa’s overreliance on exporting raw materials while importing high-value finished goods has cost the continent millions of jobs, stifled innovation, and undermined long-term economic sovereignty,” she said. “This is not just a challenge—it’s a defining moment for Africa to chart its own industrial path, rooted in its realities and immense potential.”
Ekeng-Itua called for a shift toward smart manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and automation, urging governments to craft enabling policies, invest in industrial infrastructure, and support research ecosystems that cater to local needs. She emphasized that the forum marks the start of a movement to rewrite Africa’s industrial story through collaboration between academia, government, and the private sector.
Echoing this view, Ambassador Philberth Abaka Johnson, Nigeria’s representative at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), underscored the urgency for African nations to reposition themselves within global value chains. Represented by Emem Umana, Johnson stressed the need for strategic dialogue and policy frameworks that catalyse industrial transformation across the continent.
Delivering a keynote address, John Kamara, Founder of the AI Centre of Excellence Africa (AICE), challenged African leaders to move from passive participation in global markets to leadership in shaping them.“This is Africa’s time—not to catch up, but to take the lead in shaping global industries,” Kamara said. “We are not late. We are right on time.”
The African Industrial Forum, according to organisers, is designed to serve as a pan-African platform connecting changemakers across academia, business, and public policy, all united by a belief in Africa’s potential to lead global innovation—not just react to it.
Through ATII, the forum is focused on building cross-sector ecosystems that bridge research and industry, accelerate local innovation, and advance inclusive industrial growth. Key focus areas include artificial intelligence, clean technology, climate resilience, healthcare, education, and women’s empowerment—all aimed at laying the foundation for a sustainable and innovation-driven African economy.
ATII, described as a knowledge hub for Africa and Indigenous communities globally, is positioning itself as a catalyst for industrial reawakening by translating African-led research into market-ready solutions that can power the continent’s economic transformation.
As Africa faces rising youth unemployment, rising debt burdens, and global competition, speakers at the forum emphasized that building resilient, homegrown manufacturing capacity is no longer optional—it is essential for securing the continent’s economic future.
