Africa’s path to true independence and prosperity lies not in raw exports, but in building factories, skilled workforces, and the capacity to produce what it needs at home.
Africa stands at a critical crossroads in its economic history. While the continent holds nearly a fifth of the world’s population, its share of global manufacturing output remains painfully marginal -- just around two percent.
The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Unido) World Manufacturing Production report for the first quarter of 2025 underscores this reality. Africa’s manufacturing barely registered any growth, with overall growth rate at 0.1 percent.
