Browsing: Africa’s manufacturing sector

Blockchain in Africa's supply chains.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) recently published the Economic Development for Africa 2023 Report. The document, titled “The Potential of Africa to Capture Technology-Intensive Global Supply Chains,” looks at Africa’s capacity to become a prominent player in global supply chains for “high-technology” industries, which include automobiles, mobile phones, green energy, and healthcare.…

  • African countries are important producers of initial inputs but do not participate much in intermediary steps required to produce the final product.
  • Fortunately, AI (Artificial Intelligence) can offer solutions across these areas by helping improve operational efficiency by automating mundane tasks.
  • Africa’s manufacturing sector contributes significantly to the continent’s economy, providing employment, generating income, and driving development.

Africa is a continent with an abundance of natural resources and potential for economic growth, yet its manufacturing value chain is still lagging behind other regions in the world. With limited access to capital, technology, and skilled labor, African countries are struggling to keep up with the global competition. In recent years there has been increased focus on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help bridge this gap by providing new opportunities for Africa’s manufacturing sector.

The first step towards leveraging AI in Africa’s manufacturing industry lies in understanding the gaps that need to …