Arkebe Oqubay Leads Marrakech Dialogue on Africa’s Green Industrialization











Dr. Arkebe Oqubay, British Academy Global Professor at SOAS University of London and one of Africa’s most influential voices on industrial policy, led a high-level dialogue on Manufacturing and Mobility: Scaling Up Sustainable Industrialisation in Africa during the Ibrahim Governance Weekend 2025. The session, organised by SOAS University of London’s Development Leadership Dialogue (DLD), drew policymakers, business leaders, and academics to debate Africa’s future industrial path.

A Powerful Lineup of Thought Leaders

Joining Dr. Oqubay were high-profile speakers including:

Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of Mauritius and the first woman to hold the office (2015–2018).

Lerato Mataboge, the newly elected Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy of the African Union, with two decades of policy experience in South Africa’s Department of Trade, Industry, and Competition.

Ethiopia’s former Senior Minister and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister, who was also the AU’s sole candidate for Director General of UNIDO in 2021.

The Executive Vice President of Hyundai Motor Group’s Future Strategy Division, representing Korea’s global leadership in mobility and industrial technology.

The diverse panel reflected a blend of African political leadership, international industrial strategy, and private sector expertise, setting the stage for a rich exchange on Africa’s development choices.

Industrialisation: Different Paths, Shared Lessons

Dr. Oqubay opened by emphasising that Africa cannot rely on imported models of industrialisation. Speakers echoed this, stressing that there is no single recipe for success — outcomes depend on local contexts, resources, and political will.

Mauritius was highlighted as a striking example of transformation. For more than five decades, it has pursued export-led industrialisation, shifting from a mono-crop sugar economy to light manufacturing and high-value services. Today, the island nation enjoys a GDP per capita of $12,000. Gurib-Fakim noted that sustained investment in education and skills development made this shift possible.

Ethiopia has shown how industrial champions can drive growth. Ethiopian Airlines, Africa’s largest carrier, generated $7.2 billion in export services in 2024. Beyond aviation, the airline has supported tourism, exports, and even national security for a landlocked country. “A 100% state-owned enterprise can be globally competitive if backed by disciplined governance,” Dr. Oqubay remarked.

Morocco demonstrated the power of sectoral targeting. Its automotive industry now exceeds $7 billion in annual exports, anchored by the Tanger-Med industrial complex and port. Meanwhile, OCP, the state-owned phosphate giant, showed how natural resources can be leveraged into value-added exports and broader economic transformation.

Rwanda and Ethiopia stood out as cases of resource-scarce nations achieving higher growth rates than oil exporters, challenging assumptions about Africa’s dependency on natural wealth.

African Giants on the Move

The discussion spotlighted homegrown companies that are reshaping the continent’s industrial future.

Dangote Group has built Africa’s largest cement empire, producing over 50 million tonnes annually across 10 countries, while expanding into oil refining, fertiliser, and petrochemical hubs.

SASOL, South Africa’s energy and chemicals group, has become a global leader in liquid gas technologies, showing how African innovation can compete on the world stage.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) stood out as a symbol of domestic resource mobilisation. Entirely financed without external loans, the 6,500 MW hydropower project is now Africa’s largest, underscoring Ethiopia’s commitment to energy self-reliance.

These examples illustrated that capital-intensive, large-scale industrialisation is not only possible in Africa but increasingly driven by African industrialists themselves.

Green Development at the Core

Despite celebrating achievements, the dialogue carried a strong message: Africa’s industrialisation must be sustainable. Climate change, environmental pressures, and global market shifts mean that green development can no longer be an afterthought.

Speakers urged African governments to embed carbon-neutral strategies in their industrial policies — from energy generation to manufacturing and mobility. Investments in renewable energy, sustainable urban transport, and green infrastructure were cited as essential for building resilience and competitiveness.

“Industrialisation is possible and necessary for Africa, but it must also be sustainable,” Dr. Oqubay told the audience. “The challenge is to accelerate transformation while placing green development at the heart of industrial policy.”

A Roadmap for the Future

The session concluded with three overarching priorities for African states:

Sectoral Targeting and Industrial Ecosystems – identifying industries with high growth potential, while ensuring the right infrastructure and supply chains are in place.

Domestic Resource Mobilisation – focusing not just on tax-to-GDP ratios, but on whether revenues are invested in productive growth areas.

Green Development and Innovation – ensuring industrialisation strategies align with sustainability and global shifts towards low-carbon economies.

The Marrakech dialogue made clear that while Africa faces significant challenges, it also holds immense opportunities. With disciplined governance, strategic investments, and a focus on green growth, the continent can carve its own path to industrialisation — one that balances economic transformation with sustainability.