About AIW

Industrialising Africa

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI), Green Industrialisation, and Intellectual Property for Africa’s Transformation.

The Africa Industrialisation Week (AIW) is a flagship initiative of the African Union, established in 2018, to advance Africa’s industrial transformation and unlock the continent’s potential in the global economy. Held annually, AIW provides a platform for fostering collaboration among policymakers, private sector leaders, international development partners, and innovators to align strategies for sustainable development. This initiative plays a critical role in accelerating Africa’s structural transformation, addressing challenges in industrialization, and creating opportunities through the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
AIW emphasizes the integration of innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in Africa’s industrial policies, showcasing advancements in manufacturing, green technologies, and intellectual property rights (IPR). By mobilizing a diverse set of stakeholders, AIW has positioned itself as a central forum to drive dialogue, facilitate investments, and enhance Africa’s competitiveness on the global stage.

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What Sets AIW 2024 Apart?

Harnessing AI for Transformation
This year’s edition explores how AI can drive efficiency, boost productivity, and open new avenues for trade and industrial growth. Key sessions will focus on deploying AI solutions in manufacturing, logistics, and market intelligence to support AfCFTA goals.
Green Industrialization
Discussions will center on adopting eco-friendly technologies, such as renewable energy and green manufacturing processes, to minimize Africa’s carbon footprint while driving economic growth.
Intellectual Property as a Catalyst
AIW 2024 will showcase how intellectual property rights can foster innovation, encourage investments, and protect African innovations in the global market.
AIW through the Years

Our Journey

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Location: Cairo, Egypt

This edition centered on the role of women in transforming Africa’s industrial landscape, featuring:

  • Workshops on digital innovation and policies for inclusive industrialization.
  • Networking sessions for women entrepreneurs to connect with investors and policymakers.

Key Takeaways:

  • Enhanced visibility and support for women-led enterprises.
  • Policy discussions leading to more inclusive frameworks for industrial development​
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Location: Niamey, Niger

This edition served as a platform to assess progress under the AfCFTA framework and discuss Africa’s response to global challenges, including:

  • Strategies to enhance the resilience of Africa’s industrial sector against external shocks like climate change and geopolitical disruptions.
  • Investment promotion in critical sectors, such as agroprocessing and pharmaceuticals.
    Strengthening regional and national policies on sustainable industrialization.

Key Takeaways:

  • Highlighted the potential for African agricultural-driven industrialization.
  • Emphasized the importance of regional collaboration in value chain development​.
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Format: Virtual

Building on the operationalization of AfCFTA, AIW 2021 focused on:

  • Developing new regional value chains for SMEs, youth, and women entrepreneurs.
  • Enhancing collaboration between policymakers, private sector stakeholders, and international development partners.
  • Strategic sessions on advancing agro-industrial transformation and green industrialization.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Renewed high-level political commitments to industrialization.
  • Progress in creating an AU-led industrial policy framework.
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Format: Virtual

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, AIW 2020 transitioned to a virtual format. The event highlighted resilience strategies and innovation to overcome disruptions, including:

  • Webinars on adapting industries to the challenges posed by global supply chain breakdowns.
  • Case studies on building resilient MSMEs through regional value chains.
  • Discussions on the role of sustainable industrialization in addressing Africa’s vulnerability to external shocks.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Reinforced the importance of regional industrial strategies.
  • Showcased best practices from around the globe on pandemic-era industrial resilience​.
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Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

This edition focused on preparing African industries for the newly operational AfCFTA, with key activities such as:

  • The first Automotive Value Chain Forum, addressing Africa’s potential for localized vehicle production.
  • Workshops on financing industrialization and youth entrepreneurship to reduce migration.
  • Advocacy for implementing AU frameworks like AIDA and the African Mining Vision (AMV).

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Strengthened public-private dialogue to enhance Africa’s production capacity.
  • Agreed frameworks for developing a continental strategy on manufacturing and trade​.
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Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

AIW’s inaugural edition emphasized building regional value chains to accelerate structural transformation and industrialization. Key discussions revolved around:

  • Aligning regional manufacturing efforts with the AfCFTA framework.
  • Highlighting the role of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in regional development.
  • A spotlight event on pharmaceutical production under the AU-NEPAD Africa Pharma initiative.

 

Key Takeaways:

  • Enhanced awareness of Africa’s industrialization agenda.
  • Development of strategies for integrating SMEs into regional and global value chains​.

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Driving Africa's Industrialization, Empowering Women in Africa.

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African Union Commission, Department of Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals (ETTIM)

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