Fragen der Industrie- und Handelspolitik für Afrika (EN)

The document examines the intersection of industrial and trade policy with the green transition in Africa. It argues that for the continent to avoid becoming a 'net loser' in the shift to a low-carbon economy, it must move toward higher value-added production of green technologies rather than remaining an exporter of primary products. The author highlights the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as a key mechanism for establishing regional value chains for renewable energy products. The paper also emphasizes the need for 'policy space' to protect nascent industries, warning against premature trade liberalization and unilateral 'border adjustment taxes' from developed nations. Additionally, it stresses the urgency of 'climate proofing' infrastructure to create jobs and mitigate the inevitable extreme weather events predicted by the IPCC. Finally, the paper calls for African nations to advocate for a Global Green New Deal that respects the right of developing countries to industrialize and includes meaningful resource transfers.

• Africa's transition to a lower carbon economy must involve a shift toward higher value-added production to avoid becoming a net loser as high-carbon activities are phased out.
• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is a critical tool for creating regional value chains that can support the large-scale manufacturing of green technologies and renewable energy products across the continent.
• To develop nascent green industries, Africa requires 'policy space' and must resist premature trade liberalization and unilateral measures like border adjustment taxes, which the author describes as 'green-washed protectionism'.
• Proactive 'climate proofing' of infrastructure is necessary to withstand extreme weather events and serves as a mechanism for job creation and economic recovery from the Covid-19 recession.
• The cost of transitioning to meet Paris Agreement commitments is significant; for South Africa alone, decommissioned assets are estimated at R 1.8 trillion, approximately 60% of its GDP.
• Africa should campaign for a Global Green New Deal based on principles that include ending austerity, increasing multilateral financial resources, and respecting the right of developing countries to industrialize.

APA

Davies, R. (2021). Fragen der Industrie- und Handelspolitik für Afrika (EN). Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/de/industrie-und-handelspolitik-fragen-afrika-en

Chicago

Davies, Rob. Fragen der Industrie- und Handelspolitik für Afrika (EN). Africa Policy Research Institute, 2021. https://afripoli.org/de/industrie-und-handelspolitik-fragen-afrika-en.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Davies |first1=Rob |title=Fragen der Industrie- und Handelspolitik für Afrika (EN) |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=26 October 2021 |url=https://afripoli.org/de/industrie-und-handelspolitik-fragen-afrika-en |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{davies2021fragen, author = {Davies, Rob}, title = {{Fragen der Industrie- und Handelspolitik für Afrika (EN)}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2021}, month = oct, url = {https://afripoli.org/de/industrie-und-handelspolitik-fragen-afrika-en}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }