Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Naude, Wim
Author-Email: w.naude@maastrichtuniversity.nl
Author-Workplace-Name: UNU-MERIT, and Maastricht University
Title: Structural transformation in Africa: New technologies, resurgent 
	 entrepreneurship and the revival of manufacturing
Abstract: In this paper I argue that manufacturing is still important for 
	 structural transformation in Africa. Despite failing to industrialize in 
	 the past, there may be a new window of opportunity. This is due to the 
	 convergence of new technologies of the Fourth Industrial Revolution 
	 (4IR) and a resurgence of start-up entrepreneurship. In this light I (i) 
	 show why manufacturing is vital for African economies, (ii) critically 
	 analyze the nature and impact, both in terms of opportunities and risks, 
	 of the new technologies associated with the 4IR for Africa; (iii) 
	 describe the resurgence of tech start-up entrepreneurship in Africa and 
	 (iv) call for policy support in the form of complimentary investments 
	 and regulations to allow entrepreneurs to utilize opportunities and to 
	 minimize threats. The paper show that a new narrative for African 
	 structural transformation is possible.
Classification-JEL: O33, O14, O55, L52, L26
Keywords: Technology, industry 4.0, entrepreneurship, development, Africa 
Series: UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Creation-Date: 20181130
Number: 2018-045
File-URL: https://unu-merit.nl/publications/wppdf/2018/wp2018-045.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 275 Kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unumer:2018045