Africa Industrialization Day

  As the world marks Africa Industrialization Day on 20 November , UNIDO Director General, Gerd Müller reflects on the continent’s progress and the urgent investments needed to drive sustainable, competitive industrial growth. In this op-ed, he outlines why Africa stands at a defining moment—and what must happen next to unlock its full industrial potential. Africa enters 2025 at a pivotal moment in its development. The ambition to transform the continent’s economies through sustainable industrialization, regional integration, and innovation is clearer than ever, and is picking up pace. The foundations are being laid. Industrial strategies are expanding, regional integration is progressing, infrastructure projects are advancing, and a young, dynamic private sector powers local economies. Africa’s GDP growth remains among the highest globally, with more than 20 countries expected to have exceeded 5% growth in 2025. Manufacturing value added has increased in several sub-regions, and ...

This session explores the pivotal role of economic diversification in fostering regional stability and driving sustainable long-term growth across the Middle East. The event will spotlight key sectors fueling this transformation – such as renewable energy , mineral mining , technology and innovation , financial services , and the critical role of the private sector – highlighting their potential to reshape the economic landscape and strengthen integration across regions. Enabling two-way investment with the Middle East: Leveraging economic diversification for mutual growth 01:54:24 Meetings & Events

  Industrial development is evolving rapidly, driven by global shifts in the world economy , technology and environmental priorities . These trends are Reshaping how industries operate and adapt to new market realities , making it clear that replicating past models of industrial growth is no longer viable. For developing countries, the stakes are particularly high, as they must navigate this new industrial landscape and find innovative pathways to industrialize in a world where traditional approaches are being replaced by new dynamic s. Today’s industrial landscape is radically different from the one that first facilitated the rise of the Asian Tigers and later China. In the late 1970s, these countries benefitted from an expansive global policy space, with favourable conditions for export-led growth and integration into the global economy. At that time, labour-intensive manufacturing created a massive number of jobs, while environmental sustainability was not a central con...