Africa Industrialization Day 2025; November 20th.

FORUM:"Transforming Africa’s Economy through Sustainable Industrialization, Regional Integration, and Innovation." Africa Industrialization Day 2025. Sustainable industrialization, regional integration and innovation, a focus key thematic Week’s policy discussion area, aligns with key AU continental industrialization policy frameworks. The Action Plan for Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (AIDA) and Industrial Development Decades for Africa (IDDA III) emphasize sustainable industrialization and economic diversification. On the other hand, it aligns with the AfCFTA Protocols on promoting regional integration, trade, and industrial development. In this regard, the 2025 AIW week’s long policy debate will advance innovative thoughts on how the continent can harness its vast and abundant natural resources, promote economic growth, and create jobs. Regional integration, facilitated by AfCFTA, enables the creation of larger markets, increasing competitiveness and attracting investments. Innovation is a crucial driver of productivity, entrepreneurship, and technological advancement. By integrating and embracing these concepts, Africa can accelerate its industrialization journey, achieve structural & productive transformations and sustainable economic development, as envisioned in the AU's Agenda 2063, particularly, on aspirations One: Sustainable development and economic diversification, and goals 4: “Transformed Economies”. This convergence can propel Africa's economic growth. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #sustainableindustralization, #AccelerateafricasIndustrialization, #AIW2025, #integratedmarket, #AfricaIndustrializationDay, #Industrialization, #20november, #AfricaIndustrialization, #AfricaIndustrializationWeek, #IndustrializingAfrica.

EVENT: 2025 African Industrialization Week (AIW 2025).

The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with the United Nations IndustrialDevelopment Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa(UNECA), African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD), and the Afro-Champions Initiative, will host the 2025 AIW which will take place from 17th to 21st November 2025 and will be held under the theme: “Transforming Africa’s Economy through Sustainable Industrialization, Regional Integration and Innovation”. The events of the week are designed to bring together key stakeholders for comprehensive multi-stakeholder dialogue. The 2025 edition will further leverage the creative potential of the African youth startups to drive economic growth and development, a forum aimed at highlighting the innovative Youth Start-ups enterprises across the continent. These three events envisioned to promote sustainable industrialization, innovation, and regional integration, to drive Africa's economic development.

2. OBJECTIVES

 2.1. The overall objective emphasizes building synergies between policy models, investments, innovation, and capacity building of youth starts-ups across sectors to transform Africa's economy through sustainable industrialization, regional integration, and innovation, targeting at driving economic growth and development. 

The following are the specific objectives: i. To promote sustainable industrialization amongst the AU Member States for adoption by identifying and showcasing policy models and best practices that can be replicated across Africa. ii. To foster regional integration by strengthening inter AU member state and Regional Economic Communities (RECs) coordination on industrial development. iii. To provide a platform for the African Youth Startups and Women led enterprises for networking and access to investment opportunities. iv. To encourage the development of industrial infrastructure through policy discussion and agreement on strategies that support industrial growth and regional integration. v. To enhance policy recommendations and continental regulatory industrial policy frameworks such as AIDA and IDDA III, and guidelines for promoting sustainable industrialization, regional integration, and innovation in Africa. 

3. EXPECTED OUTCOMES 

3.1The following are the expected outcomes: 

i. Replicable sustainable industrialization policy models and best practices are identified and showcased for African Union member states. ii. Strengthened Inter AU member state and REC coordination on industrialization iii. Intra-African trade and investment in industrial sectors are increased especially among women and the youth. iv. Industrial policy strategies for industrial infrastructure development identified to support industrial growth and regional integration. v. Actionable policy recommendations and guidelines for promoting sustainable industrialization, regional integration, and promoting innovations in Africa identified.

 4. WHO WILL ATTEND

4.1 The AIW2025 will draw participants among others from African Union member states, Regional Economic Communities; UN agencies; Regional and International DevelopmentFinance Institutions; representatives of the private sector, civil society, Youth start-Ups, African Women in Processing involved in the industrialization agenda in the continent. Inclusion of women and youth start-ups ensures that the future leaders and innovators get a chance to voice their creative ideas and get invaluable exposure, as well as for achieving gender parity in industry and promoting women empowerment. 

5. FORMAT 

5.1. The week will have several events led by different organizations and these will include high-level event which will be marked by speeches from dignitaries on Africaindustrialization Day. It will also have side events which will include presentations, Panel discussions on topical issues that will contribute to realizing the objectives. Apart from these, Youth and women will exhibit their value added products and innovations to potential buyers and investors. 

6. VENUE AND DATES

 6.1 The Africa Industrialization Week, 4th AWIP Forum and 1st African Youth Starts-UpForum event for 2025 will take place from 17th –21st November 2025, Kampala Uganda. Register to participate!

Statements of the United Nations Secretary-General on Africa Industrialization Day 2025.


On Africa Industrialization Day, we celebrate the continent’s determination to transform its economies and build a sustainable future for all.

Across Africa, green industries are expanding — powered to a great extent by the ingenuity and entrepreneurship of women and youth.

At the same time, the African Continental Free Trade Area is opening a new era of opportunity — creating a unified market and laying the foundations for sustainable supply chains and shared prosperity across the region.

Yet challenges remain. Climate change, mounting debt, and food and energy insecurity all pose threats to Africa’s growth.

This year’s theme — Transforming Africa’s Economy through Sustainable Industrialization, Regional Integration, and Innovation — highlights the urgent need for an industrial future that is both green and digitally connected.

To get there, we must reform the global financial architecture. That means delivering real debt relief, tripling the lending capacity of multilateral development banks, and giving developing countries a more meaningful role in the economic institutions that govern their fate.

Sustainable industrialization is vital to unlocking Africa’s full potential and advancing the Sustainable Development Goals.

Let us work together to harness creativity, deepen regional ties, and ensure that Africa’s growth benefits both people and planet.

United Nations Secretary-General.

Draft Agenda & Programme of Work Africa Youth Startups Forum (AYSF 2025).

Theme: “Igniting Youth Innovation: AI, Fintech, and ProductDevelopment for Africa’s Industrial Transformation” 

Dates: 18th – 20th November 2025 

Venue: Munyonyo Speke Resort Hotel, Kampala, Uganda.

Day One: Tuesday, 18th November 2025 Focus: Showcasing Youth Innovations & Unlocking Finance.

Day Two: Wednesday, 19th November 2025 Focus: Deal-making, Mentoring and Clinics.

Day Three: Thursday, 20th November 2025 Focus: AID Day & Recognition of Youth Innovations.

CONTACT INFORMATION 

A. African Union Commission 

i. Mr. William Simwanza, Expert Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals P.O Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, simwanzaw@africanunion.org 

ii. Mr. Robine Okello, Industrial Policy and Economic Transformation Expert Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM) P.O Box 3243, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, robineo@africanunion.org 

B. Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Republic of Uganda 

i. Mr. Denis Ainebyona, Commissioner for Industry and Technology, Department of Industry and Technology, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives, Email: denis.ainebyona@mtic.go.ug 

 Email : dainebyona@yahoo.com.

 ii. Ms. Berna Nakkazi Senior Industrial Officer, Department of Industry and Technology Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives. Email: Berna.nakkazi@mtic.go.ug, Email : bernieritah@gmail.com

LIVESTREAM: AID2025

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Africa Industrialization Day 2023; November 20th.

FORUM: “Accelerating Africa’s Industrialization Through the Empowerment of African women in Processing for an Integrated Market.” Africa Industrialization Day 2023. This year’s AID is being held to build more policy advocacy on the continent’s industrialization agenda, as well as the organization of the 2nd Edition of the African Women in Processing Summit. The theme will focus on the critical role of women-led enterprises in driving Africa’s industrialization through processing and value addition, and will highlight integration of women entrepreneurs in African markets under the African Continental Free Trade Area. With intra-African trade dominated with manufactured products, there is a huge potential for women to take up more roles in manufacturing as a pathway to the African continent’s structural transformation, economic inclusion as well as job creation. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #AccelerateafricasIndustrialization, #AIW2023, #integratedmarket, #AfricaIndustrializationDay, #Industrialization, #20november, #AfricaIndustrialization, #AfricaIndustrializationWeek, #IndustrializingAfrica.

EVENTS: On November 20th, from 1:15 – 2:15 PM (EST) a high level event jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the African Union Economic Development, Tourism, Trade, Industry, Mining (ETTIM), the African Union (AU) Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations to mark the Africa Industialization Day 2023 will be held at the Permanent Observer Mission of the African Union to the United Nations. The event will bring together representatives of African states, other Member States, regional entities, and partner organizations of the UN system supporting Africa’s sustainable development. It will consist of a few high-level statements and a buffet lunch. During the Africa Industrialization week 2023 in Cairo, Egypt from November 09th to November 15th. Participants had the opportunity to learn about the Economic Commission for Africa’s (ECA’s) impactful contribution to regional integration and trade initiatives in Africa. Through its Regional Integration and Trade Division (RITD), ECA showcased some of its new and existing strides toward reshaping Africa’s economic landscape. Get the AID2023 agenda programme!

Launch of the "Industrial policy for a fair globalization" Industrial Development Report 2024.

The UNIDO’s Industrial Development Report 2024 calls for bold policy initiatives to channel investments into sustainable industry, which holds great potential for facilitating recovery and accelerating progress. When industry is aligned with the SDGs, it can ignite innovation, create decent jobs and contribute to the mitigation of climate change. The strong resurgence of industrial policy worldwide highlights a renewed interest in the power of industry to solve today’s challenges. This resurgence is primarily driven by the world’s most industrialized countries. Developing countries must match these efforts to fully leverage industrial policy for the achievement of the SDGs. Domestic efforts alone will not suffice. The report urges the international community to come together in solidarity to support the world’s most vulnerable countries. We need a New Deal for fair globalization and global solidarity with a renewed spirit of international partnership, enabling developing countries to design, finance and implement SDG-oriented industrial policies. The report puts forth actions to bolster modern industrial policy capable of addressing the trends of tomorrow. This calls for enhancing government capabilities, increasing access to finance and promoting regional and global coordination.

Discussion Points: Industrial policy solutions for fair globalization.

Objective: A high-level debate around industrial policy involving policymakers across different regions on industrial policy solutions for a fair future. The debate will be prompted by key findings of the IDR 2024, presented in an overview document that will be available in digital and printed formats. Read the Concept note.

PUBLICATIONS: African economies remain resilient amid multiple shocks. The theme of the 2023 African Economic Outlook is Mobilizing Private Sector Financing for Climate and Green Growth in Africa. Learn more by reading the Transcript of Africa’s Regional Economic Outlook provided by the IMF. Download the African Economic Outlook 2023.

WEBINARS:

Africa Industrialization Day 2022; November 20th.

 

FORUM: “Industrialising Africa: Renewed commitment towards an Inclusive and Sustainable Industrialization and Economic Diversification.” Africa Industrialization Day 2022. Our youth should inspire the way we think and act, and they shape the society we live in. As an African youth, what kind of industrialization should be prioritized to maximize the synergies with Africa’s development agenda towards the overarching objective of achieving sustainable development and prosperity for all? In doing so, how can our African leaders best pursue the envisaged industrialization pathway? The essay contest will serve to open up dynamic conversations and spur reflection and action by leaders on addressing issues on Industrialization from the perspective of young people and push for much-needed reforms. The Youth essay contest is organized by the African Union Commission. See the terms of reference here. Follow the conversation with the hashtags: #AfricaIndustrializationDay, #Industrialization, #20november, #AfricaIndustrialization, #AfricaIndustrializationWeek, #IndustrializingAfrica.

EVENTS: The Africa Industrialization Day 2022 and the African Union Summit on Industrialization and Economic Diversification 2022 will be held in Niamey, Niger from November 20, 2022 to November 25, 2022. The Side events will focus on key thematic areas including on Agribusiness; Regional value chains; Private sector; investments and financing for industrial development, industrial infrastructure and SEZ development, Energy access and green transition, Human capital, Industry 4.0, Trade capacity building, Health industry & local pharmaceutical production, Youth and Women Entrepreneurship, Partnerships, Industrial policy, etc. Get the Agenda and Programme!

Africa Industrialization Day 2015, November 20th.

非洲工业化日, 11月20日. 

يوم التصنيع في أفريقيا ,  20 تشرين الثاني/نوفمبر,

 День индустриализации Африки, 20 ноября.

Africa Industrialization Day, 20 November.

 Día de la Industrialización de África, 20 de noviembre.

 Journée de l’industrialisation de l’Afrique, 20 novembre.

2015 theme - “Small and Medium Enterprises for Poverty Eradication and Job Creation for Women and Youth"

United Nations Secretary-General's Message for Africa Industrialization Day 2015.

In recent years, many countries in Africa have experienced significant economic growth and progress in human development.  However, inclusive and sustainable industrial development remains elusive.  Youth unemployment and gender inequity jeopardize the continent’s efforts to eradicate poverty.
The private sector in Africa contributes to a projected 80 per cent of the continent’s Gross Domestic Product and supports an estimated 90 per cent of all jobs.  Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have a pivotal role to play in the industrial development of Africa.  Nevertheless, opportunities for youth and women generated by SMEs are limited, thus failing to harness the full entrepreneurial potential of the continent.  This means less capacity for transformative socio-economic development, innovation and value addition.
I welcome the theme for this year’s Africa Industrialization Day: “SMEs for Poverty Eradication and Job Creation for Women and Youth”.  Africa needs to invest in training and education for women and youth to industrialize, grow the private sector and achieve sustainable development.  SMEs can provide a solid foundation for sustained economic growth, job creation and poverty eradication. 
The important contribution of inclusive and sustainable industrialization in helping Africa to overcome its critical development challenges is clearly recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by United Nations Member States in September.  On this year’s Africa Industrialization Day, I reaffirm the commitment of the United Nations to enhance Africa’s SME sector and stimulate economic opportunities for women and youth to promote the continent’s progress towards economically enriched, socially inclusive and prosperous societies.

Ban Ki-moon

Did you know?

• Africa’s growth has continued to increase, rising from 3.7 % in 2013 to 3.9 % in 2014.
• However, the pace of Africa’s industrialization has been slow. Africa's share of global manufacturing exports is a meagre 1.9 %, compared to over 16 % for East Asia.
• Moreover, Africa is marginalised in world trade. The continent’s share in global exports has remained at roughly 3.3 % since 2010.
• Today, Africa has over 82 trillion dollars in discovered natural resources. Africa must add value to these resources, to maintain the wealth within the continent.
• Africa needs a stable trajectory for economic growth and prosperity. To achieve that, Africa must industrialize as prioritised by the African Union's Agenda 2063.

 ACTION PLAN FOR THE ACCELERATED INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT OF AFRICA - Africa Union.

 BACKGROUND 

1. Africa  is  the  least  developed  region  of  the  world  in  terms  of  industrialization.  It  accounts  for  a  negligible  share  of  global  industrial  output  and  manufactured  exports.   Only  in  a  few  of  the  countries  is  the  manufacturing  value  added/GDP  ratio  above  20  pe rcent. In a large number of African countries, the manufacturing sector’s contribution  to GDP is less than 15 per cent and in some cases lower than 5 per cent.  The output of  the  sector  is  heavily  concentrated  on  low  technology  products  such  as  food,  texti les,  clothing,  footwear,  etc.  The  majority  of  African  countries  are  yet  to  be  involved  in  any  significant sense in the medium -  and high -  technology segments of global manufacturing  that  have  been  characterized  by  dynamism  and  rapid  growth  in  recent  years.  The  African  economy  is  heavily  dependent  on  the  production  and  exports  of  primary  products  and  consequently  suffers  from  the  associated  risks  of  this  dependence.  The  continent   must   take   advantage   of   new   opportunities   offered   by   globalization   by  preparing   e nterprises,   putting   in   place   policies   for   upgrading,   developing   human  resources,   strengthening   its   capacities   for   innovation,   by   accepting   the   facts   of  industrialization.  

2. Industrialization is a critical engine of economic growth and development. Indeed,  industrialization  is  the  essence  of  development.  That  Africa  remains  the  poorest  region  of  the  world,  where  34  of  the  50  least  developed  countries  are  located  and  in  which  p overty  is  on  the  increase,  is  a  reflection  of  its  low  level  of  industrialization  and  marginalization in global manufacturing. There exists a strong linkage between industrial  productive  capacity,  economic  growth,  and  level  of  development.  The  developing  re gions and countries that are sharing in the benefits of globalization, making progress  towards  the  attainment  of  the  Millennium  Development  Goals  (MDGs),  and  moving  up  on  the  ladder  of  development  are  the  rapidly  industrializing  ones.  Africa  has  not  benefi ted  much  from  the  process  of  globalization  and  risks  not  meeting  the  MDGs  in  spite of its richness in natural resources. 

3. African Heads of State and Government have in recent years taken a number of  major initiatives, to meet the challenges of development,  to reverse the marginalization  of Africa in the global economy and polity, and to claim the 21 st  Century for the peoples  of  the  continent.  These  include  the  establishment  of  the  African  Union  (AU)  and  the  adoption  of  the  New  Partnership  for  Africa’s  Devel opment  (NEPAD)  as  the  strategic  programme of the Union.

Strategy for the Implementation of the Plan of Action for the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa (En)

Strategy for the implementation of the Plan of action for the accelerated Industrial Development in Africa.

Africa has witnessed improved growth in recent years – averaging 5.5 per cent per annum. Nevertheless, poverty remains a serious challenge. This is because growth alone is not sufficient to propel broad-based development. For growth to be translated into sustained poverty reduction, greater attention needs to be placed on the quality of growth, its sustainability and spread. In this context, greater access to, acquisition and application of science, technology and innovation are critical for African countries to raise the quality of their human capital and consequently, enhance pro-poor growth. UNIDO's AFRICA PROGRAMME.


 Inclusive and Sustainable  Industrial Development in Africa Region - UNIDO.

Inclusive and Sustainable  Industrial Development in Africa Region - UNIDO.

During the 2013-2014 Biennium, programmes and projects assisting African Member States to achieve  UNIDO’s mandate of “Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development“ (ISID) have been implemented  in all UNIDO priority areas; namely, agribusiness and rural entrepreneurship, industrial policy  development, trade capacity building, energy, youth employment, investment promotion, institutional  capacity development, energy efficiency and climate change.

The delivery of UNIDO technical assistance in the region amounted to US$ 37.8 million in 2013 and  US$ 41.2 million in 2014. Moreover, during the 2013-2014 Biennium, UNIDO developed several country  programmes in the region, of which 13 were approved and signed. As of April 2015, there were 17 country  programmes under development. UNIDO also convened a number of events, including conferences and  other thematic global forums in the region.   The region covered by UNIDO’s Africa Bureau comprises 45 sub-Saharan countries, including 20 Middle  Income Countries (MICs), 31 Least Developed Countries (LDCs, out of 34 in African continent); 16 of the  world’s 32 Land-Locked Developing Countries (LLDCs)  and five Small Island Developing States (SIDS, out  of 51 in the world).



Forum :  Africa Industrialization Day - November 20

 On Africa Industrialization Day, Ban warns gender inequity, youth unemployment risk continent’s progress

Events : 
4th Congress of African Economists 2015 Theme: “Industrial Policy and Economic Performance in Africa”. Share. 16th – 18th November 2015

News :  

- Sustainable industrialization for shared prosperity to top agenda of UNIDO General Conference 

- Increasing access to sustainable energy in East African countries

- New partnership with French industrial exhibitor to promote technology and know-how exchange

- Helping Morocco sustainably manage hazardous chemical waste 

- New plant in Ethiopia will help process fresh cactus pears, improve value chain

- UNIDO and China’s Environmental Protection Ministry partner to promote inclusive and sustainable industrial development

- Mobilizing the private sector to achieve Sustainable Development Goals 

- New partnership aims to boost development and scale up food safety capacity building

The United Nations System and Africa

• Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
• International Labour Organisation (ILO)
• International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
• UN Women
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• International Telecommunciations Union (ITU)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
• United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-HABITAT)
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)
• World Bank
• UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
• World Health Organization (WHO)

Resources :

• Office of the Special Adviser on Africa 
•  Operationalization of the 2030 Agenda for Africa’s Industrialization (26 September 2015)
• Africa Renewal
• UN News Centre
• UN peacebuilding in Africa
• New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD)
• African Union
• The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)
• The Southern African Development Community (SADC)
• African Development Bank Group
• 2012: International Year for Sustainable Energy
• African Union Commission , Trade and Industry Department

Publications :

•  Industrial Policy and Economic Transformation in Africa- Columbia University Press.
•  The International Study Group Report on Africa’s Mineral - African Union Commission.
•  Industrial Development Report Series - UNIDO.
•  The 8th Joint Annual Meetings of the African Union Specialized Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration and the ECA Conference of African Ministers of Finance, Planning and Economic Development

Africa Industrialization Day 2012 : Ban calls for more prosperous, sustainable future for Africans

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in his message on Africa Industrialization Day, November 21, 2012, said by accelerating Africa’s industrialization and boosting intra-African trade, more prosperous and sustainable future for all African people can be ensured.

According to a press release issued by the UN Information Center (UNIC) here on Tuesday, the full text of his message reads: "Sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth is fundamental to achieving the Millennium Development Goals and the socioeconomic objectives of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). This year’s Africa Industrialization Day highlights the important role intra-African trade can play in reducing poverty, increasing food and nutrition security and supporting sustainable development. "African economies are among the fastest growing in the world, yet intra-regional trade accounts only for 10 per cent of the continent’s commerce – significantly less than in other regions. Many constraints impede trade expansion in Africa: obsolete infrastructure, fragmented economic space, low production capacities, limited investment financing and high transaction costs. Eliminating these obstacles is a prerequisite to fully realizing Africa’s economic potential and helping to address the continent’s socioeconomic and developmental challenges. Healthy intra-African trade can free the continent from its reliance on international aid and improve its resilience to macroeconomic and other external shocks. "Industrialization can help the expansion of intra-African trade by supporting a more diversified export economy. In particular, the development of rural and food processing industries could help to lift significant numbers from poverty. But, to facilitate trade in goods and services, it is essential to reduce distribution costs by improving and expanding road, rail and other communication infrastructure. Also, industrial growth will require greater and more reliable supplies of energy. Improved energy infrastructure -- including investments in renewable power generation and energy efficiency -- would allow countries to produce more, and more competitively. "At the Rio+20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in June, governments emphasized the importance of paying more attention to Africa’s development needs. On this Africa Industrialization Day, let us heed this call. By working together to accelerate Africa’s industrialization and boost intra-African trade we can ensure a more prosperous and sustainable future for all the continent’s people."