United Nations Radio

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says there is widespread agreement that more effective strategies and policies are needed to speed up industrialization in Africa.

Africa Industrialization Day

In his remarks at an event to mark Africa Industrialization Day, observed on 20 November, the Secretary-General says 2008 was the fifth consecutive year in which Africa registered growth of more than five per cent.

He notes that though much of this growth was driven by the boom in commodities, there were also important improvements in agriculture and tourism.

But, he adds, the industrial sector has not lived up to its potential.

"Africa still accounts for just over one percent of world industry, and industrial development on the continent has lagged behind other developing countries. This needs to be addressed forcefully. History teaches us that manufacturing acts as a stimulus for economic transformation in developing countries."

The Secretary-General says the rise of globalization and the growing importance of technology make this transformation even more critical.

This year's theme of Africa Industrialization Day is "Industrialization for Integration."

Dianne Penn, United Nations Radio
(duration: 1'19")