Rodgers Mukwaya, an economist with United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) said “as we talk about regional integration to promote intra-African trade, we should focus on creating a more effective industrial policy that can enhance export base.”

Africa’s lack of effective and transformative industrial policy has hindered the growth of manufacturing exports, said Janvier Alofa, an economist of United Nations Development Programme.

“Africa’s industrial policy is poor compared to the rest of the world, that is why the majority of African economies largely depend on imports,” said Alofa.

The 13th edition of the annual conference, organized by the United Nations Development Programme and the ECA is held under the theme “Regional and Continental Integration for Africa’s Development.” in Rwandan capital city Kigali from Monday to Wednesday

Source: Ethiopia Broadcasting Corporation

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