Industrial Policy for Africa Conference

In collaboration with the World Bank Development Economics, the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC), and the Structural Transformation and Economic Growth (STEG) Programme, we are pleased to invite abstract submissions for the upcoming Industrial Policy for Africa Conference.

As industrial policy reclaims prominence in the global policy agenda, the conference aims to advance academic dialogue around its role and relevance in Africa’s economic transformation. Given the continent’s unique socio-economic landscape and the rise of service-led growth, we seek fresh insights into how industrial policy can be reimagined to address today’s development challenges — from informality and food security to climate resilience and job creation.

We welcome abstracts (max. 800 words) on topics including

• Industrial policy instruments and their economic impact

• Governance and institutional frameworks

• Strategic industry targeting and cluster development

• Agro-processing, food security, and sustainable transformation

• Infrastructure, skills development, and service-led industrialisation

• Trade, national security, and environmental sustainability

Location: Nairobi - Kenya

Submission Deadline: 30 July 2025