Brilliant Technologies and Brave Entrepreneurs: A New Narrative for African Manufacturing

Wim Naudé

No 11941, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: In this paper I argue that the manufacturing sector still has an important role to play in Africa's development. Despite failing to industrialize in the past, there may be a new window of opportunity. This is due to the convergence of what has been called 'brilliant' new technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and a resurgence of start-up entrepreneurship. In this light I (i) show why manufacturing is vital for African economies, (ii) critically analyse the nature and impact, both in terms of opportunities and risks, of the new technologies associated with the 4IR for Africa; (iii) describe the resurgence of technological start-up entrepreneurship in Africa and (iv) call for policy support in the form of complimentary investments and regulations to allow entrepreneurs to utilize opportunities and to minimize threats. In short, a new narrative for African manufacturing is possible.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; industry 4.0; technology; development; Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: L26 L52 O14 O33 O55 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 17 pages
Date: 2018-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-afr, nep-ent, nep-ino and nep-sbm
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Published - published in: Journal of International Affairs, 2019, 72 (1), 143 - 158

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