Made in Africa: Is manufacturing taking off on the continent?

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Several African countries have enjoyed economic growth in recent years – but there are fears that a failure to develop manufacturing could prove to be costly.

“Made in China” is a stamp that is ubiquitous and can be found on a wide range of objects – anything from T-shirts and shoes, to watches and televisions – worldwide.

The same is true of labels showing that an object originated in Taiwan or Vietnam.

But it is rare to find an object which has a mark that points to origins in African country – “Made in Nigeria” or “Made in Chad”, for example.
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The work helps me put food on the table at home. I’m the bread winner of eight children,” ”

Bartomoeu Zandamela Worker at a timber factor in Mozambique

Despite experiencing regional economic growth in recent years, Africa commands a meagre 1.5% share of the world’s total manufacturing output, according to the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation.

That compares with a 21.7% share for the Asia Pacific region, 17.2% for East Asia and North America’s 22.4% share.

“Economies that have sustained high growth over the long term have typically gone through a process of economic diversification, the spread of new technologies, rising productivity in agriculture, the expansion of the manufacturing sector, and the development of a skilled workforce,” write the authors of a recently published Africa Progress Panel report.

“These have not been characteristics of growth in Africa, even in sectors that are attracting foreign investment. Put differently, there has been a lot of growth but little structural transformation,” they conclude.

Source BBC