EP 6: We have the blueprint: How do we industrialise Africa together?

Synopsis

If we know the ingredients needed to industrialise, who brings them together? Who decides where industries are built, coordinates infrastructure across borders, and creates the conditions for countries to complement rather than compete with one another? Most importantly, who and what keeps the vision alive long enough for it to become reality?

In the final episode of Season Two of The Africa Hour, we turn the spotlight on governance as the needle that joins the thread together. Across previous episodes, we explored mineral value chains, manufacturing, skills, energy, and capital. Now, we zoom in on the coordination, leadership, and long-term vision required to translate policy and inputs into an industrious reality.

Drawing on voices from policy and governance experts, the episode brings the season to a close. It explores our most critical question: how can Africa transform its raw minerals into thriving, sustainable societies?

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Guests

Dr. Claude Kabemba is Executive Director at Southern Africa Resource Watch. He is an African policy analyst and thought leader on mining governance, critical minerals, and economic transformation. With more than two decades of experience across Africa, he has worked extensively on resource governance reforms, regional mineral strategies, transparency, community rights, and value-addition policies. His work seeks to position Africa’s mineral wealth as a catalyst for industrialisation, regional integration, and inclusive development in the context of the global energy transition. He regularly engages with governments, regional bodies, industry leaders, and international institutions on the future of Africa’s critical minerals sector.

Dr. Marit Kitaw is an Economic Affairs Officer leading the minerals sector portfolio at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA). An international economist and thought leader in developmental mining, green minerals, and resource governance, she advocates harnessing Africa’s mineral wealth for inclusive structural transformation under the Africa Mining Vision. Her extensive multilateral career includes leadership roles as Interim Director of the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC), UNDP, COMESA, and the African Development Bank. She spearheaded Africa’s Green Minerals Strategy and served on the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, regularly advising global policy bodies on sustainable development.

Prof. Faizel Ismail is Convener of the AfCFTA Industrial Development Advisory Council and a senior advisor on African trade and development policy. An academic leader and strategist in regional integration and multilateralism, his work leverages international trade and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to drive African industrialisation and developmental regionalism. With decades shaping South Africa’s post-apartheid trade relations, he has served as South Africa’s Ambassador to the WTO, Special Envoy for AGOA negotiations, and Director of the Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance. He actively engages governments, international bodies, and academic institutions to reform global trade governance.

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