President Yoweri Museveni has urged leaders in African countries to prioritize Industrialisation and Value addition on row materials which he says is the gateway to the prosperity of African Nations.
Currently Africa contributes 10.4% to continental GDP with just 2% of global manufacturing, yet with 1.25billion people and 2.5billion by 2030.
The Presidents remarks were presented on his behalf by the Vice President of Uganda Maj Jessica Alupo to over 500 delegates attending the African Industrialization Day that was held in Kampala.
“Uganda is now a net exporter of goods that it used to import in the last fifteen years.
These range from steel,cement pharmaceuticals,paper, processed foods and diary products” he said
The week-long activities organised by the Ministry of Trade Industry and Cooperatives, the African Union and partners are running under the theme “Transforming Africa’s Economy through sustainable Industrialization, regional integration and innovation”.
President Museveni said for Uganda and African countries to fully prosper a number of challenges should be addressed and these include ideological disorientation ,sectarianism of tribe and religion ,non interference with private sectors ,under developed infrastructure,quality roads and Railways ,dealing with high transport costs ,fragmented markets among others .
The Vice President Alupo also emphasised the need to empower women as they also complement and persver in handling various tasks.
Speaking at the same event, State Minister for Trade Industry and cooperatives Wilson Mbadi said trading across borders will broaden markets for African countries and champion integration.
Uganda’s progress is remarkable: from 81 factories in 1986 to nearly 10,000 today, with manufacturing contributing 15.6% of GDP and exports worth $10.6billion.
The Africa Industrialization week attracted close to 500 delegates, 200 of them from the African Union.
David Bahati highlighted the gap and the need for accelerated industrialization, emphasizing that Africa’s key growth drivers include a young and expanding population, infrastructure development and the AfCFTA which is expected to boost trade by 52% by 2030.
He urged members states to reduce costs of energy, transport & capital,streamline decision-making & procurement and embrace Pan-Africanism for shared prosperity & harmonized policies.
Bahati underscored Uganda’s progress is indistrialisation growht from 81 factories in 1986 to nearly 10,000 today, with manufacturing contributing 15.6% of GDP and exports worth $10.6Billion
H e said Africa’s industrial future depends on women-led initiatives, youth innovation, and sustainable industrial models.
Under the theme “Transforming Africa’s Economy through Sustainable Industrialization, Regional Integration and Innovation.”the event underscores the urgent need for value addition in Africa’s resource-rich sectors, promising jobs, skills, and prosperity for millions.