Industrializing through trade

Trade as a catalyst for Africa’s structural transformation
Inclusive and transformative development strategies are essential for translating Africa’s recent growth momentum into meaningful creation of decent jobs and poverty reduction. Industrialization, the theme of several recent editions of the Economic Report on Africa, is the sure way of breaking the commodity boom and bust cycle, and also from Africa’s dependence on primary commodity exports. The Economic Report on Africa 2015 builds on previous editions of the report that emphasized the need for developmental States and development plans to foster Africa’s structural transformation, benefiting from the continent’s resource endowments to promote commoditybased industrialization, and embracing dynamic industrial policy frameworks underpinned by innovative institutions, effective processes and flexible mechanisms.