Introduction

The UNIDO (2011) Economic Development in Africa Report 2011 states that “African countries should intensify efforts to de-velop manufacturing because it presents great opportunities for sustained growth, employment and poverty reduction“ (UNIDO 2011:106). It also goes further to add that “ While there is a case for industrial policy in Africa, there is also the recognition that the past approaches to promoting industrialization did not achieve the objective of economic transformation.” (UNIDO 2011:107). These statements are clear indications of profound issues surrounding the industrial structure of African economies and the need to examine and address them if Africa seeks to make significant impacts on the world economic stage. In this paper, I examine the competi-tiveness of industrial performance of African economies vis-a-vis that of South and East Asian economies using the UNIDO Com-petitive Industrial Performance (CIP) data to gauge the positioning of African economies. The aim is to give a picture of what has occurred and to next discuss possible strategies to in-crease industrial competitiveness and economic development. Download the full article