New York, 25 September 2024 - The Seventh High-Level Event on the Third Industrial Development Decade for Africa (IDDA III) was held on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly and the Summit of the Future. Participants convened at the UN Headquarters in New York to explore innovative strategies and solutions aimed at transforming Africa’s industrial landscape into a model of sustainability and resilience. The focus was on promoting economic growth, job creation, value addition, food security, and long-term prosperity, all driven by critical investments and partnerships.

The event was organized by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in collaboration with the African Union Commission (AUC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), the Africa Business Council (AfBC), and Deloitte.

Since the UN General Assembly proclaimed the Decade for Africa in July 2016, stakeholders from the international community have gathered annually to address opportunities and challenges within the framework of IDDA III. This year’s theme, “Sustainable Industry for Africa’s Tomorrow: Building Resilience Across Generations”, underscored the importance of sustainability and intergenerational resilience in Africa’s industrialization journey.

Key Themes and Insights

Sustainable industrial development is essential for Africa, not only to secure long-term industrial gains but also to bolster intergenerational resilience. This requires the development of industries capable of withstanding economic, environmental, and social shocks. The event’s discussions centered on critical areas including economic diversification and industrialization, innovation, technology and digitalization, investment and financing, policy and governance, and capacity building.

Speaking on behalf of the Director General, Fatou Haidara, Deputy to the Director General and Managing Director at UNIDO, highlighted Africa’s vast potential, referring to it as "the continent of the future." She emphasized that it is a shared global responsibility to turn this potential into shared prosperity.

Albert M. Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Trade and Industry, underscored the need to build on the insights gained during the event. He suggested that a Fourth Industrial Development Decade for Africa, aligned with the current theme, be formulated to sustain momentum.

Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of UNECA, emphasized that while the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) serves as a master plan, Africa must also focus on implementing regional value chains. This regional approach is critical for accelerating industrialization across the continent.

Oluranti Doherty, Managing Director of the Export Development Division at Afreximbank, stressed the importance of ensuring that African-produced goods meet global export standards to guarantee their competitiveness in international markets.

Amany Asfour, President of the Africa Business Council, reiterated that industrialization is the cornerstone of Africa’s true prosperity, emphasizing its role in the continent’s real and sustained development.

Ruwayda Redfearn, CEO of Deloitte Africa, pointed out that the Fourth Industrial Revolution presents Africa with a unique opportunity to lead the way toward a future defined by innovation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth.

Cristina Duarte, UN Special Adviser on Africa and Under-Secretary-General at the Office of the Special Adviser on Africa highlighted the importance of energy in Africa’s industrialization. She stated that Africa has the right to define its own energy planning and mix, focusing on energy access rather than solely on energy transition.

A Collaborative Platform for Sustainable Development

The event brought together approximately 150 participants, including high-level representatives from governments, development finance institutions, UN agencies, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and academia. The diversity of perspectives enriched the discussions, reinforcing a collective commitment to advancing Africa’s sustainable industrial development, resilience, and innovation.

Watch the recording of the event here.

For more information please contact:
Victor Djemba,
Chief, Regional Bureau For Africa
Email