By Adeola Tukuru
Abuja
Vice President, Industrial Global Union Africa, Comrade Issa Aremu, has called on African countries to revive their manufacturing sector and stop wholesale importation of goods and services from China.
Aremu told newsmen yesterday in Abuja said Africa must copy china’s industrialisation drive which has within 20 years moved over 250 million people out of poverty through manufacturing and industrialisation.
According to him, many African countries have robust documents and policies on industrialisation and diversification, yet few existing industries are closing with mass job losses.
The Vice president further said it’s time South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana, Zimbabwe and others worked the policies and add value to the continent abundant raw materials.
He said there are three leading economies in Africa, Nigeria which worth some $406 billion, Egypt $332.3 billion and South Africa $294.billiin .
“However in terms of manufacturing value added South Africa at 25percent, Egypt at 20 percent are ahead of Nigeria with less than 5 percent,” he said.
Aremu explained that Africa Industrialisation Day (AID) is a significant day declared by United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) adding that it is an annual platform for Governments, businesses and organised labour linked to Industrial development ti examine ways and means to stimulate Africa Industralisation Day process.
According to him, the broad theme for 2017 Africa Industrialisation Day is “African Industrial Development : A pre condition for effective and sustainable continental free trade area”
He said as part of activities to mark the 2017 Africa Industrialisation Day (AID) will commence a mass rally within the city centre on Monday with officials of United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), Ministry of Trade and Investment, manufacturers, stakeholders and members of Africa affiliates of Industrials which will March for been fixation and Indusrtaizqtiin of African economies.
