ABSTRACT
African countries have a number of opportunities to industrialise by capitalising on the continent’s abundant natural resources, adding value to them, while also supporting the development of infant industries. Development planning has a long and mixed history and as Africa sought to industrialise, the continent’s development trajectory has been influenced by various approaches to development planning since the early stages of independence. Africa needs policy tools and economic enablers for industrialisation and structural transformation. African countries must begin to view industrialisation as a tool for the social and economic transformation of their societies, with structural transformation being the key outcome. Greening growth represents a new approach to industrial policy in Africa as leapfrogging is brought to the fore of the industrialisation process through smart technologies. Africa’s economic future will be determined by how the continent designs and implements effective industrial policies needed to promote industrialisation and economic transformation.
