Promotion of Africa’s industrialization through inclusive infrastructure development

Abstract

The present report discusses Africa’s structural transformation through inclusive and sustainable industrialization and the important role of infrastructure in this process. The analysis demonstrates a direct link between the levels, types and patterns of industrialization and the present economic infrastructure, in particular transport (road, rail, water and air), power and information and communications technology (ICT). The consensus is that quality economic infrastructure in Africa is critical for industrial development, as exemplified by current efforts that focus on interconnecting Africa through increasing quality infrastructure on the continent. This report provides a discussion on a selection of issues to take into consideration as the continent fosters its economic development path. These issues include an integrated framework for infrastructure promotion and industrial development, the impact of key infrastructure assets on the African industrial trajectory and the need for quality infrastructure to support low carbon industrial development in Africa. It also offers a set of recommendations on how to tackle these issues to accelerate industrial development on the African continent.