Sustainable Industrialization in Africa explores the issues that confront development policy in the context of the MDGs and the post-2015 development agenda from an African perspective. The book argues that development is an ultimate outcome of sustainable, equitable industrialization, and that any development agenda for the future has to ensure that industrialization is fostered in a way that makes economies independent and responsive to the needs of all citizens. Future challenges for sustainable industrialization in Africa, based upon the differences in its current industrialization trajectories, are discussed to ensure that industrial growth results in positive economic and social outcomes in the context of the post-2015 development agenda.

This issue of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook focusses on the relevance of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 ("Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation") for Africa's development. Issues are analysed at the continental level and in country case studies. Unit 1 presents in four essays the African continental perspectives and achievements. Unit 2 presents six essays, which are focussing on aspects of the eight targets of SDG 9 in country cases. Unit 3 presents book reviews and book notes in the context of SDG 9.

This issue of the African Development Perspectives Yearbook focusses on the relevance of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 ("Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation") for Africa's development. Issues are analysed at the continental level and in country case studies. Unit 1 presents in four essays the African continental perspectives and achievements. Unit 2 presents six essays, which are focussing on aspects of the eight targets of SDG 9 in country cases. Unit 3 presents book reviews and book notes in the context of SDG 9. Tobias Knedlik is Research Professor at the Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH) and Professor for International Economics at Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Germany. Samia Satti Mohamed Nour is Professor at the Department of Economics at the University of Khartoum, Sudan. Anthony Ifeanyi Ugulu is researcher at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa. Karl Wohlmuth is Professor Emeritus at the Department of Economics and Business Studies at the University of Bremen, Germany. Open Access Download

The 2016 edition of the Economic Report on Africa (ERA 2016) focuses on greening industrialization and highlights sustainable and people-centred industrialization. Given the impacts of climate change, resource scarcities and environmental degradation, measures for de-risking Africa’s development are critical. The form and pattern of Africa’s industrialization, shaped by its abundant natural resources especially water and renewable energy sources, are discussed within the scale and scope that tackles inequality and promotes inclusivity. The report employs a value chain approach in analyzing the decoupling needs of key economic sectors towards low carbon intensive economic growth in Africa. Country case studies are used in demonstrating ongoing greening activities across key sectors. This is supported with modelling of future development scenarios under ‘Business-as Usual’ and “Greening” to demonstrate the additionality of greening policies and investments in making a business case to support the industrialization and transformation momentum in the continent’s development agenda. The report therefore provides evidence-based information to policymakers and other stakeholders on greening Africa’s industrialization to achieve inclusive and sustainable structural transformation and growth on the continent.

‘Resurgent Africa: Structural Transformation in Sustainable Development’ is a study of structural change dynamics in Africa and its effect on job creation, living standards and the efficiency of productive cities through manufacturing productivity growth that benefit the majority. Empirical data from selected African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia, provides in-depth analysis and knowledge of the continent’s diversified economies by establishing relationships between industrialization trends; rates of urbanization; and urban living standards, income growth and employment in Africa. The findings reveal unconventional pathways of structural change, patterns of jobless growth suggesting economic growth that does not necessarily lead to employment, dominance of services at the expense of manufacturing industry explaining the regress in Africa’s industrial sector and occurrence of structural transformation without improvement in labour productivity. These are important concerns for Africa’s long-term development leading to the conclusion that sustainable urbanization and industrialization are not only closely connected but also key drivers of economic change. The book includes recommendations for policymakers to adopt a new approach to development for a resurgent Africa.

What are the challenges and action points for agricultural sustainability in Sub-Saharan Africa? This open access collection of papers offers technical analyses, policy recommendations and an overview of success stories to date. Each carefully selected paper provides valuable insights for improved policy making and defines relevant strategic priorities on Africa’s sustainable transformation process, which is in line with the international development agenda. Although agriculture remains the main source of income for Africa’s population, the sector is rain-fed subjecting it to the vagaries of weather and climate change. This volume demonstrates the rationale of developing a competitive, inclusive and sustainable agribusiness sector for Africa’s food security and structural transformation. From the impact of Bioenergy crop adoption and Drought Index Insurance to Agro-Industrialization, this volume is important reading for individual researchers, academic associations and professional bodies interested in African agricultural development.

This book investigates the prospects of Africa’s sustainable industrialization, with an emphasis on youth entrepreneurship and the mechanisms in place to support both industrial and corporate entrepreneurs. The volume addresses two specific issues; first, industrialization and youth entrepreneurship and secondly, youth entrepreneurship training and education. The emphasis on youth entrepreneurship to drive sustainable industrialization in Africa is driven by three points: first, Africa’s industrialization is still at its inception with severely limited existing stock of entrepreneurial talents, which makes it imperative to look to the continent’s bulging youth population – the “population dividend” for the needed supply of successive generations of entrepreneurs. Secondly, sustainable industrialization would have to be oriented to “green”, “ICT” and “inclusive” growth which calls for a change in entrepreneurs’ attitudes. Finally, at the centre of the “Africa Rising” narrative is a budding new “cheetah” generation of young entrepreneurs who are highly educated, professional and motivated by the need to set up new business models and practices to compete in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This volume forms part of an Education for Sustainable Development in Africa (ESDA) book series involving the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability and 8 partner African universities running Master’s Programs in sustainable development. The book series is intended to serve primarily as undergraduate and graduate instruction materials for courses on sustainable development in Africa, as well as policy input to key developmental issues in Africa.