While many regions of the world have been undergoing industrial transformation for several decades, Sub-Saharan Africa remains on the sidelines of this dynamic. In 2023, the manufacturing industry contributed only 12 to 14% of the region’s gross domestic product (GDP). In this context, the African Development Bank (AfDB) launched its operational strategy for the period 2024–2035, now titled « Industrialise Africa. » However, despite promising initiatives, the challenges remain considerable.
In Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa remains one of the least industrialized regions in the world. In 2023, the manufacturing industry accounted for an average of only 12 to 14% of the region’s GDP, compared to more than 20% in East Asia. This industrial deficit hampers the value addition of African economies. Faced with this reality, the African Development Bank (AfDB) positions itself as a key player to support the continent in its industrial transformation.
It is imperative for Africa to no longer wait, we can no longer wait because it is crucial that starting today Africa begins to develop its industrialisation.
SIDI OULD TAH, AfDB’s president-elect
One of the first major obstacles to industrialisation is the lack of basic infrastructure, such as irregular access to electricity and the deteriorated condition of roads. Despite these challenges, the financial institution is increasing its efforts, notably with the launch in 2022 of the African Industrialisation Fund, endowed with 500 million dollars. However, the needs remain considerable. Furthermore, political instability, worsened between 2023 and 2025 by coups d’état in Niger, Gabon, and Mali, has compromised several investment projects.
And this requires a number of efforts on infrastructure, on production factors, but above all an unwavering commitment from all stakeholders and African financial institutions and their partners.
SIDI OULD TAH, AfDB’s president-elect
In 2024, the African Development Bank made the energy transition a key lever of its industrialization plan. Despite the abundance of strategic resources such as lithium and cobalt, Africa still largely limits itself to their extraction, without real local value addition. With the arrival of its new president, the decade 2025–2030 remains decisive for the AfDB in the perspective of positioning the continent in global industrial chains related to green technologies.
