Africa Industrialization Day

Every year on 20 November, the world observes Africa Industrialization Day, a day dedicated to recognizing and supporting the industrial development of Africa. This observance offers a chance to reflect on the continent’s progress in building manufacturing capacity, value-addition, and economic transformation.

History of Africa Industrialization Day

The idea of Africa Industrialization Day emerged in July 1989, when the Organization of African Unity (OAU) at its 25th Ordinary Session in Addis Ababa proposed a special day to highlight the role of industrialization in Africa’s structural transformation. Later that year, on 22 December 1989, the United Nations General Assembly formally proclaimed 20 November as Africa Industrialization Day within the framework of the Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa. The first official observance took place in 1990. Over time the observance has expanded; since around 2018 it has often been marked with a full “Africa Industrialization Week” of events, discussions, and exhibitions. ¹

Why is Africa Industrialization Day important?

Industrialization provides a pathway for African economies to move beyond reliance on raw-material exports toward higher value-added production, manufacturing, and local processing. That shift supports job creation, economic resilience, and the strengthening of domestic value chains. In addition, Africa Industrialization Day serves as a platform to raise global awareness of the challenges—such as infrastructure deficits, limited technological access, trade barriers, and financing gaps—and to galvanize action among governments, private sector, and international partners to address them.

• It amplifies the message that industrial development is key for Africa’s sustainable growth.
• It encourages investment, innovation, and infrastructure development in African industries.
• It emphasizes regional integration and intra-African trade as part of value-chain development.
• It helps highlight the role of technology, manufacturing, and processing for improving employment opportunities.
• It provides an occasion for policy dialogue, partnerships, and stakeholder engagement around industrialization strategies.

How to Celebrate Africa Industrialization Day

Observing Africa Industrialization Day can be both educational and impactful. Organizations, schools, and community groups can host or join seminars, workshops, or exhibitions that explore industrial development themes in Africa, and invite stakeholders from government, business, and civil society. For individuals, choosing to learn about African-made products, engaging in social media conversations, or supporting initiatives that promote local manufacturing can make the day meaningful. Emotionally, the day is a moment to reflect on how industrial progress can uplift livelihoods and contribute to inclusive development across the continent.

• Attend or organize a webinar or discussion on African manufacturing, entrepreneurship, or innovation.
• Share articles, stories or social-media posts about African industry, value chains or technology in context of Africa.
• Explore ways to support African-made goods or enterprises contributing to value-addition in Africa.
• Encourage youth or students to research topics like regional value chains, sustainable manufacturing, or industrial skills in Africa.
• Partner with or support organizations working on industrial development, tech adoption or skills training in African contexts.

Africa Industrialization Day Dates Table

1. https://www.un.org/en/observances/africa-industrialization-day[↩]