Industrial Policy for Africa Conference

February 16, 2026 - February 18, 2026
Nairobi, Kenya

What role should industrial policy play in Africa’s transformation agenda? From national security to climate action and job creation, industrial policy is being hailed as a tool for tackling today’s most pressing challenges. But much of the evidence comes from Asia and the policy discussions predominantly focus on large economies—like the U.S., China, and Europe.

Addressing Africa's industrial policy challenges requires acknowledging the continent's evolving economic landscape. Traditional industrial models may no longer fit Africa’s unique socio-economic realities. Instead, growth is increasingly driven by dynamic service sectors such as ICT, tourism, and food processing. This shift raises critical questions regarding the role of industrial policy in Africa’s economic transformation. How can it address the complexities of informal labor markets? Can it be a catalyst for poverty alleviation, job creation, and food security?

To explore these questions, 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 hosting a research conference in Nairobi, Kenya.

This conference will bring together leading researchers from the region to share fresh insights and diverse perspectives on industrial policy—both from within Africa and beyond.

All times listed below are in East Africa Time (EAT). Presenters of multi-author papers are in bold.

Day 1 – February 16
08:30-09:00	Registration and Welcome Coffee
09:00 – 09:15	Opening Remarks Anne Margreth Bakilana, Operations Manager, Nairobi, World Bank Indermit Gill, Chief Economist & Senior Vice President for Development Economics, World Bank
09:15 - 10:00	Productivity & Structural Transformation: The Case of Industrial Policy in Africa Keynote speech by Margaret McMillan, Neary Family Professor of International Relations and a Professor of Economics at Tufts University
10:00 - 10:30	Tea Break
10:30 – 12:30	Session 1 - Industrial Policy and Structural Transformation Chair: Daniel Njiwa, Director for Inclusive Markets, Trade and Finance, AGRA Are there industrial policy ‘successes’ in Africa? A review of recent industrial policy interventions in African countries - Rexford Asiama Agricultural Innovation as Industrial Policy: Trade Regulation, Value Chains, and Structural Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa - Ndam Nji Nfout Assana; Nourou Mohamadou Services-Led Structural Transformation in East Africa - Calumn Hamilton; Emmanuel Mensah; Edward Sennoga Discussants: Woubet Kassa, Economist, World Bank Group
12:30 –13:30	Lunch Break
13:30 - 14:30	Industrial Policy in Action: Morocco’s Path toward Green Competitiveness Keynote speech by Dr. Abdelaaziz Ait Ali, Principal Economist and Head of the Economics Research Department, Policy Center for the New South
14:30 – 15:00	Tea Break
15:00- 17:00	Session 2 – Markets and Local Impacts Chair: Kenneth Amaeshi, Chair in Sustainable Finance, European University Institute The Local (Informal) Multiplier of Industrial Jobs – Francesco Amodio; Elia Benveniste; Hoang Pham; Marco Sanfilippo What Do Market-Access Subsidies Do? Experimental Evidence from Tunisia - Nadia Ali; Giacomo De Giorgi; Aminur Rahman; Eric Verhoogen The Impact of Industrial Parks on Local Labour Markets: Evidence from Ethiopia – Tevin Tafese; Alisha Weber Discussant: Doug Gollin, Jason P. and Chloe Epstein Professor of Economics, Tufts University and Research Director, Structural Transformation and Economic Growth
Day 2 – February 17
8:45 - 9:00	Introductory Remarks
09:00-10:00	From Trade Integration to Industrial Transformation: The AfCFTA Agenda Presenters: Emeritus Professor Faizel Ismail and Dr. Noncedo Vutula
10:00 – 10:30	Tea Break
10:30-12:30	Session 3 - Industrial Policy and Sustainability Chair: Jonathan Leape, IGC Executive Director The in(un)intended consequences of tax incentives in greening Kenya - Judy Kaaria Spatial agglomeration of foreign direct investment and green productivity in African manufacturing: A policy dilemma between leverage and ecological trap - Glede Djinhea Paterne Gonhi; Felix Houphouet; Morie Guy – Roland N’Drin Critical Minerals and Green Transition in Africa: Policy Trade-Offs Between Industrial Growth and Environmental Sustainability - Matthew Rivi Discussant: Richard Newfarmer, IGC Country Director for Rwanda and Uganda
12:30-13:30	Lunch Break
13:30-15:30	Session 4 - Technology, Innovation, and Industrial Upgrading Chair: Abbi M. Kedir, Director of Research, AERC In Search of Demand Engines: Evidence from South Africa’s Automotive Industrial Policy - Matteo Filippi Reimagining Industrial Policy for the Fourth Industrial Revolution: A Sectoral Assessment of Smart Manufacturing Readiness and Policy Gaps in Tanzania - Enock Mwakalila Taking Stock of Africa’s Economic Transformation: Rethinking Sources of Productivity Growth- Douglas Gollin; Margaret McMillan; Emmanuel Mensah; Gideon Ndubuisi; Solomon Owusu Discussants: Socrates Kraido Majune, Lecturer, Department of Economics and Development Studies, University of Nairobi
15:30-16:00	Tea Break
16:00-17:00	Industrial Policy for Development Report Introduction by: Indermit Gill, Chief Economist & Senior Vice President for Development Economics, World Bank Presenters: Ana Margarida Fernandes, Lead Economist, Development Research Group; and Tristan Reed, Economist, Development Research Group, World Bank
17:00 – 18:00	Panel Discussion Moderated by: Indermit Gill, Chief Economist & Senior Vice President for Development Economics, World Bank Panelists: Victor Murinde, Executive Director, AERC Dennis Novy, Chief Economist FCDO Margaret McMillan, Neary Family Professor of International Relations and a Professor of Economics at Tufts University Jonathan Leape, IGC Executive Director
Day 3 – February 18
09:30-09:45	Introductory Remarks Ethiopis Tafara, Regional Vice President for Africa, IFC
09:45-12:00	Policy and Research Matchmaking Chair and moderator: R. Mukami Kariuki, World Bank Group Regional Hub Manager Evaluating Nigeria’s Rice Import Protection Policy: Implications for Agricultural Transformation, Food Security, and Welfare Outcomes; Oluwayemisi A. Salufu, University of Ibadan South Africa SEZ program; Itumeleng Mokoena, Senior Economist, National Treasury, South Africa Policies and Strategies for Strengthening Agro-Processing in Zambia – Wisdom Mgomezulu, AGRA – Specialist - Data Analytics SEZ Policies in Kenya - David Kambo, Director for Land and Infrastructure at the Special Economic Zones Authority Discussants: Somik V. Lall, Senior Adviser, Office of the World Bank Group Chief Economist, Development Economics, World Bank
12:00 – 12:30	Closing Remarks