Call for Abstracts - Industrial Policy for Africa Conference
Context
Industrial policy is gaining increased momentum in the current geopolitical landscape, with proponents arguing that it can achieve diverse goals including national security, climate change mitigation, and job creation. However, most evidence on industrial policy comes from contemporary China or historic Asia, while the policy debate predominantly focuses on large economies such as the U.S., China, and Europe. There is limited evidence available to inform decisions in African economies.
Addressing Africa's industrial policy challenges requires acknowledging the continent's unique socio-economic circumstances amidst shifting global economic dynamics. The traditional industrial model, previously relied upon for growth, may no longer be directly applicable due to global structural changes. Instead, the rise of the service sector, particularly in ICT, tourism, and food processing, has become a defining feature of Africa's growth trajectory. In this context, questions arise regarding the role of industrial policy within the broader scope of economic transformation. Should industrial policy become part of a broader transformation agenda? How can a transformative approach to industrial policy account for the complexities of the informal labor market?
By fostering learning through exporting, building capacity, and encouraging innovation, industrial policy may play a role in setting the stage for poverty alleviation, job creation, and enhanced food security. Nevertheless, industrial policy could be complemented by other initiatives that address these challenges more directly. Furthermore, industrial policy needs to be designed with a clear understanding of the evolving global trading order.
Aim of the conference
To foster academic dialogue on the relevance of industrial policy for Africa, the World Bank Institute for Economic Development, the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), the Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) Program, and the International Growth Center (IGC) are convening a research conference in Nairobi, Kenya on February 16-18, 2026. The conference will bring together researchers from various subfields within economics, as well as those from related fields such as law and political science, to showcase different perspectives on industrial policy, drawing from experiences within and outside Africa.
The organizers invite abstract submissions for research paper presentations on any issue pertaining to industrial policy. Abstracts should be no longer than 800 words. Submissions from scholars at African research institutions and early-career scholars are encouraged. Topics of particular interest include:
- Industrial Policy Instruments & Economic Impact: Measuring benefits/costs of industry-specific policies (tariffs, subsidies, tax exemptions, local content requirements, export/investment promotion, industrial parks, grants, state equity); strategies for assessing industrial policy effects on aggregate economic activity; determining whether industry support should be permanent or temporary.
- Institutional Frameworks & Governance: Requirements for productive industrial policy; models to establish "embedded autonomy" in public institutions; performance of state-owned enterprises and their roles in the real economy; African economic and policy responses to economic statecraft by large economies.
- Strategic Industry Targeting & Clusters: Measurement criteria for targeting specific industries (scale, growth, comparative advantage, external economies of scale, learning-by-doing, upstreamness); cluster-based industrialization and its potential to create higher wages and improved living standards for semi-skilled workers.
- Agriculture & Food Security: Agro-processing industrialization and economic transformation in Africa, focusing on manufacturing that adds value to raw agricultural products, creates jobs, improves food security, and contributes to national economies.
- Infrastructure & Skills Development: Addressing critical industrialization challenges including logistics, energy infrastructure, and workforce skills development to support sustainable industrial growth.
- International Trade & National Security: The role of the World Trade Organization and Preferential Trade Agreements in disciplining industrial policy; definitions of national and economic security relevant to Africa and their relation to industrial policy.
- Environmental Sustainability & Resources: Greening Africa's industrialization; the role of Africa's critical minerals in the global net-zero transition and sustainable development.
- Service-led Industrialization: The role of a growing service sector, the key challenges for development of a highly competitive service-sector and ensuring a strong contribution to growth and job creation.
Submission Details
Please submit an abstract and CV of the presenting author using this online form.
The submission deadline is July 30, 2025. Authors chosen to present papers at the conference will be notified by August 31, 2025.
Limited financial support will be available to assist with travel and accommodation costs for a select number of presenters. In the allocation of these resources, priority will be given to early-career researchers from Africa.