Africa Industrialisation Day: ‘Mobilising the commitment of the international community’

Within the framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 20 November as Africa Industrialisation Day.

According to the South African government, the day is intended to mobilise the commitment of the international community to the industrialisation of Africa. It also serves as a reminder that more than 30 of the world’s 48 least developed countries are located in Africa.

For Development

The United Nations reports that Industrialisation, with strong linkages to domestic economies, will help African countries to achieve high growth rates, diversify their economies and reduce their exposure to external shocks. This will substantially contribute to poverty eradication through employment and wealth creation.

The success of Africa’s industrialisation programme will require the creation of enabling environment that enhances domestic capacity in respect of physical and social infrastructure, human capital, financial systems, research and development (R&D), technology, and governance.

2019 Theme: Positioning African Industry to Supply the AfCFTA Market

This year, the celebration of the African Industrialisation Day, “positioning African Industry to supply the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Market,” will raise awareness in the international community on the challenges and opportunities for Africa’s industrialisation within the framework of the newly created African Continental Free Trade Area.

A number of side events will be organised around Africa Industrialisation Day. In fact, Africa Industrialisation Week already kicked off in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Africa Industrialisation Week is organized by the African Union Commission’s Department of Trade and Industry in collaboration with International Trade Centre, Geneva, Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Industry, the Africa Free Zones Organization, the UN Industrial Development Organization, the UN Conference on Trade and Development, the UN Economic Commission for Africa, European Union, among others.

It is said that this year’s continental event attracted more than 1 000 African experts and policymakers from across the continent participating in the industry Week.

Why do we mark International Days?

International days are occasions to educate the public on issues of concern, to mobilize political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.

The existence of international days actually predates the establishment of the United Nations, but now the UN has embraced them as a powerful advocacy tool.