ARCEDEM and its role in the economic recovery of Africa

Abstract

Africa now stands at a road crossing. The economy is in bad shape. It is heavily indebted to the industrialized world. To free itself from this economic bondage, the economic recovery strategies must be based on programme that will promote self sufficiency and reliance through Appropriate' TECHNOLOGY. In Lagos plan of action African countries were called upon to increase their quotas in the production of capital goods of the world total. True to the course of industrial development, many countries have taken giant steps in this direction. Many have established core metal processing industries capable of producing some capital goods. Women have even established assembly plants to put together pre-fabricated component parts to form finished products. However, the progress made in the technological development has been minimal. We must examine more critically the factors mitigating technological and industrial development if the goals of the economic recoVery programmes are to be achieved.