Industrial Policy in the 21st Century: The Challenge for Africa

Industrial Policy in the 21st Century: The Challenge for Africa, offered by SDG Academy and developed with UNU-WIDER, is an online course designed to examine how industrial policy can support economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa. The course asks why industry remains limited in many African economies, why that matters, and what policy options exist to create growth and jobs in a changing global context. It focuses on how industrial policy in the 21st century can support a broader set of economic activities and respond to Africa’s development needs in more practical and sustainable ways.

Core Content

The curriculum explores industrialization in Africa through a contemporary policy lens. SDG Academy describes the course as introducing “industries without smokestacks” and examining how industrial policy can promote the growth of these sectors as a win-win strategy for development. Public course summaries also show modules on industry as a driver of structural change, the drivers of industrial growth, policy design, and implementation approaches shaped by African and comparative country experience.

Key Skills

Participants will develop the ability to understand the role of industrial policy in African development, assess alternative pathways to industrialization, and identify policy options that support growth, jobs, and structural transformation. The course helps learners build a stronger understanding of how industrial policy can be applied beyond traditional manufacturing and how it can support newer forms of economic activity relevant to Africa’s development context.

Target Learners

This course is designed for policy professionals, development practitioners, and advanced undergraduate or graduate students interested in economics, development, industrialization, and Africa’s economic future. SDG Academy specifically identifies these groups as the main audience, making the course especially relevant for learners who want a policy-oriented understanding of industrialization challenges and opportunities in Africa.

Learning Format

Hosted through edX and SDG Academy, the course is delivered in a self-paced online format. SDG Academy and related public listings describe it as a four-part or four-module course that includes pre-recorded lectures, readings, quizzes, and a discussion forum. Some public listings also indicate a study effort of around two to four hours per week and note that the course can be taken for free, with a paid verified certificate option.

Additional Benefits

The course offers practical value for learners who want to understand industrial policy in Africa through current development thinking rather than older one-size-fits-all models. Its development with UNU-WIDER and leadership from economist John Page give it strong policy relevance, while its focus on industries without smokestacks adds a more contemporary perspective on growth and structural change. This makes it a useful foundation for learners working in development, policy, or African economic transformation.

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