Issues paper: sustainable industrialization and diversification of Africa in the digital era

Abstract

This issues paper first surveys what industrialization and diversification mean in the new climate economy. It then assesses how digital technologies are posing challenges and opportunities, before finally considering elements of a climate-smart industrialization pathway in the digital era. In doing so, it shows that the traditional route to development is not an option; Africa must proactively prepare for the new future ahead of it. The digital era opens up such new options for the development pathway of Africa. While presenting disruptive challenges to traditional development models, capitalization also creates new possibilities for sustainable industrialization and diversification, including in agriculture and services.