This project workshop on industries without smokestacks brings together researchers to discuss joint work on the industry sector and structural transformation in Africa. The workshop was held in Helsinki on 19-20 July 2016.
Historically, industry is the sector into which resources have first moved in the course of structural transformation. But what is industry in the 21st century? Changes in transport costs and information and communications technology have created a wide range of services and agro-industrial products that are now tradable and have many features in common with traditional manufacturing.
These new industries and their potential to provide exports and drive growth in Africa are the subject of this workshop, which is part of UNU-WIDER’s Industries without smokestacks project. The workshop will feature presentations of 16 draft papers on tradable, non-manufacturing activities, addressing global opportunities and constraints and country experiences.