Productive Transformation in Africa

Beschreibung

This book examines the potential for economic development and structural change in Africa through industrial policy. Combining a long-term historical analysis of structural transformation and development policy reviews, it offers a multidisciplinary examination of the catalysts and constraints impacting industrial development. By exploring the evolution and practice of industrial policy, the ongoing structural challenges, including a fragmented political economy, underinvestment, and limited productive capacities, are examined in relation to countries across Africa.

This book presents industrial transformation as the most effective way to leverage Africa’s demographic advantages and drive sustainable economic development. It will be relevant to students, researchers, and policymakers interested in development economics, economic policy, the African political economy, and industrial development.

Arkebe Oqubay is British Academy Global Professor at SOAS University of London. He is a former Senior Minister and Special Advisor to three successive Prime Ministers of Ethiopia.

This book examines the potential for economic development and structural change in Africa through industrial policy. Combining a long-term historical analysis of structural transformation and development policy reviews, it offers a multidisciplinary examination of the catalysts and constraints impacting industrial development. By exploring the evolution and practice of industrial policy, the ongoing structural challenges, including a fragmented political economy, underinvestment, and limited productive capacities, are examined in relation to countries across Africa.

This book presents industrial transformation as the most effective way to leverage Africa’s demographic advantages and drive sustainable economic development. It will be relevant to students, researchers, and policymakers interested in development economics, economic policy, the African political economy, and industrial development.

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Arkebe Oqubay

Themen in »Productive Transformation in Africa«

Economic transformation Structural transformation Industrial policy Industrial development Economic development in Africa Economic governance South-South trade African investment Technological development Trade partnerships Industrial transformation Productive capacity African industrialization Urbanisation in Africa African demographics

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“Policy officials, advisors, and practitioners will especially value this book, which distils a quite unparalleled mix of lengthy high-level experience of developmental decision-making in Africa, immersion in the historical evidence and research literature on structural change globally, and profound individual wisdom. Arkebe’s insistence on the need – and opportunities - for selective intervention targeting not broad sectors but specific economic activities most likely to generate broader and longer lasting gains should be a wake-up call to all.” (Christopher Cramer, Professor of the Political Economy of Development, SOAS University of London)

“Arkebe Oqubay’s latest volume is a tour de force that is a must read for those charged with leading Africa's developmental strategy as well as for analysts and scholars. The book draws on the analytical insights of the heterodox classics, as well as carefully chosen case studies of the experiences of specific countries and of broader sectoral trends to make a convincing case for a broadening of the current uneven and pragmatic recovery of industrial policy in parts of the African continent into a broader effort to advance structural transformation informed by a mindset of “possibilism” in contrast to Afro-pessimism. Each of the book’s many specific findings and recommendations merit serious reflection by policy makers at national, regional economic community and AU/AfCFTA levels alike. The volume amasses a wealth of information and analysis which will stand as a landmark study for many years to come.” (Rob Davies, Honorary Professor at the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town and a former Minister of Trade and Industry of the Republic of South Africa)

“This book is a major contribution to the political economy of development and African industrialisation. Drawing on decades of scholarship, policymaking experience, and new empirical evidence, Arkebe Oqubay offers a rigorous and hopeful analysis of how African economies can achieve structural transformation through strategic, selective, and activist industrial policies. Moving beyond aggregate growth metrics, the book centres productive capacity, technological learning, and sector-specific strategies, while challenging Afro-pessimism through comparative insights from Africa and successful late industrialisers. Anchored in Hirschman’s “possibilism,” the book provides a coherent framework that links history, practice, and future pathways—making it essential reading for policymakers, practitioners, and scholars committed to sustainable and inclusive development in Africa.” (Carlos Lopes, Honorary Professor at Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town, and Former Executive Secretary, UNECA)

“Successful industrial policy is not self-evident. This book offers a strong defence of the case in favour using Mauritius and Morocco as case studies, highlighting some of the necessary conditions for replication.” (Stefan Dercon, Professor of Economic Policy and Director of CSAE, University of Oxford, and Former Chief Economist of UK DFID)

“Essential and timely, this book confronts the industrial policy challenges facing Africa amid demographic shifts and uneven industrialisation. It argues that sectoral targeting, productive investment, industrial ecosystem development, and domestic resource mobilisation are critical. Drawing on cases from several African countries, it offers practical lessons in designing and practising productive transformation—rejecting "one size fits all" prescriptions while affirming the state's developmental role. Highly recommended for African policymakers and practitioners.” (Donald Kaberuka, Former President of the African Development Bank and Finance Minister of Rwanda)

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