Africa Industrialisation Week opens in Kampala
Business leaders in the industrial sector have urged African governments and the private sector tackles chronic infrastructure gaps and systematically empowers women as economic leaders.
The Africa Industrialisation Week opened Monday (November 17 to 21) at the Speke Resort Munyonyo. (Courtesy photo)
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The Africa Industrialisation Week opened Monday (November 17 to 21) at the Speke Resort Munyonyo, focusing on connecting African women entrepreneurs with investors, accelerating youth-led start-ups in sectors such as green-tech and digital services, among others.
Business leaders in the industrial sector have urged African governments and the private sector tackles chronic infrastructure gaps and systematically empower women as economic leaders.
Officials framed the gathering as a critical platform for moving beyond rhetoric into tangible deal-making and policy reform.
David Bahati, the Minister of State for Industries at the Ministry of Trade, said the current growth momentum for Africa demands more reflection from leaders.
“Since its inception in 1989, Africa Industrialisation Day has served as a continental rallying point for advancing industrial development, economic diversification and structural transformation. The expansion into a week-long event has allowed us to deepen our discussions, showcase best practices and foster partnerships that drive inclusive and sustainable growth,” he said.
"Women are the backbone of Africa’s industrial sector, particularly in agro-processing and small-scale manufacturing. Africa’s youth are our greatest asset. Africa is the youngest continent in the world.
“Our demographic structure can either be our greatest asset or our most profound liability. Industrialisation is the key to turning this youth bulge into a demographic dividend. The youth are not merely a source of labour; they are the source of our future innovation," Bahati said.
Nwanneakolam Vwede, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative for Uganda, said women should be at the centre of Africa's industrial strategy.
"Women-led industrial parks are not a tree. They are a strategy. They are not a pilot. They are a pathway. Africa's transformation will be led by women, or it will not be sustained," Vwede said.
These efforts, she said, would integrate shared processing equipment, reliable energy, childcare, safe transport, and skills centres to help women-owned businesses scale up competitively.