NEW BOOK BY ZAMBIAN AUTHOR PROPOSES AFRICA’S INDUSTRIAL SHIFT
A yet to be published book by Zambian author Zondwayo Duma argues Africa must shift from raw-material extraction to a diversified industrial economy for sustainable development.
The book, The New Industry: Getting Africa’s Development Right, is set for release in two weeks.
Duma states that without sound policy interventions, Africa’s booming population will be left without essential services and face extreme human misery.
He describes this challenge as the “Himalayan Challenge” of persistent poverty despite rapid growth and the continent being richly endowed with natural resources.
Duma adds that industrialisation only succeeds when supported by the right mix of infrastructure, trade, and labour mobility.
He warns that focusing merely on revenue collection rather than value creation leads to unsustainable debt traps and economic volatility, a phenomenon termed the “Paradox of Plenty.”
Duma further argues that establishing strong local content policies and industrial linkages is the most sustainable way to reduce illicit financial flows and build genuine domestic capacity.