Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/170839 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 10855
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is impacting on the industrialization options for Africa inter alia through three interrelated sets of technologies, namely automation, additive manufacturing and the Industrial Internet. In this paper I set out the case for why Africa should industrialize. I then explore the opportunities and threats the 4IR pose for Africa. Threats include job-losses and the re-shoring of manufacturing to advanced economies. Among the opportunities are products-as-services, the sharing (collaborative) economy, and digital services and digital exports. These are markets that are currently underdeveloped in Africa but have substantial potential given Africa's geography, demography and on-going urbanisation. In order for the continent to benefit from the 4IR more needs to be done to improve entrepreneurship and education. A number of policy recommendations for 4IRcompatible entrepreneurship and education policies are made.
Subjects: 
industrial policy
entrepreneurship
education
Africa
JEL: 
O55
O25
O14
O33
L26
J24
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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