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Entrepreneurship, Education and the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa

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  • Naudé, Wim

    (RWTH Aachen University)

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is impacting on the industrialization options for Africa inter alia through three interrelated sets of technologies, namely automation, additive manufacturing and the Industrial Internet. In this paper I set out the case for why Africa should industrialize. I then explore the opportunities and threats the 4IR pose for Africa. Threats include job-losses and the re-shoring of manufacturing to advanced economies. Among the opportunities are products-as-services, the sharing (collaborative) economy, and digital services and digital exports. These are markets that are currently underdeveloped in Africa but have substantial potential given Africa's geography, demography and on-going urbanisation. In order for the continent to benefit from the 4IR more needs to be done to improve entrepreneurship and education. A number of policy recommendations for 4IRcompatible entrepreneurship and education policies are made.

Suggested Citation

  • Naudé, Wim, 2017. "Entrepreneurship, Education and the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Africa," IZA Discussion Papers 10855, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp10855
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    Cited by:

    1. Chigbu, Bianca Ifeoma & Nekhwevha, Fhulu H., 2021. "The future of work and uncertain labour alternatives as we live through the industrial age of possible singularity: Evidence from South Africa," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    2. Naude, Wim, 2018. "Structural transformation in Africa: New technologies, resurgent entrepreneurship and the revival of manufacturing," MERIT Working Papers 2018-045, United Nations University - Maastricht Economic and Social Research Institute on Innovation and Technology (MERIT).
    3. Wim Naudé, 2019. "New Technology, Entrepreneurship and the Revival of Manufacturing in Africa: Opportunities for Youth and Women?," Working Papers idrcdpru4ir, University of Cape Town, Development Policy Research Unit.
    4. John Mugambwa Serumaga-Zake & John Andrew van der Poll, 2021. "Addressing the Impact of Fourth Industrial Revolution on South African Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-31, October.
    5. Oulmane, Nassim & Sadni Jallab, Mustapha & Zidouemba, Patrice, 2020. "The African Continental Free Trade Area in a Covid-19 time : macroeconomic and sectoral impacts," Conference papers 333158, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    6. Daniel Delaunay & Jean-Pierre Guengant, 2019. "Demographic dividend in sub-Saharan Africa [Le dividende démographique en Afrique subsaharienne]," Post-Print hal-02084425, HAL.
    7. Naudé, Wim, 2024. "The African Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Index: Conceptual, Methodological and Empirical Flaws and the Way Forward," IZA Discussion Papers 17075, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    8. Beverlley Madzikanda & Cai Li & Francis Tang Dabuo, 2021. "What Determines the Geography of Entrepreneurship? A Comparative Study Between Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 7(2), pages 246-262, July.
    9. Rashid, Lubna & Alzafari, Khaled & Kratzer, Jan, 2020. "Founder Personalities, Behaviors and New Venture Success in Sub-Saharan Africa," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    10. Naudé, Wim & Surdej, Aleksander & Cameron, Martin, 2019. "The Past and Future of Manufacturing in Central and Eastern Europe: Ready for Industry 4.0?," IZA Discussion Papers 12141, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    11. Naudé, Wim, 2019. "Three Varieties of Africa’s Industrial Future," IZA Discussion Papers 12678, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    12. Langthaler, Margarita & Bazafkan, Homa, 2020. "Digitalization, education and skills development in the global South: An assessment of the debate with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa," Briefing Papers 28, Austrian Foundation for Development Research (ÖFSE).
    13. Naudé, Wim, 2018. "Brilliant Technologies and Brave Entrepreneurs: A New Narrative for African Manufacturing," IZA Discussion Papers 11941, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    14. Abdullah Promise Opute & Kalu Ibe Kalu & Ogechi Adeola & Chux Gervase Iwu, 2021. "Steering Sustainable Economic Growth: Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Approach," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 7(2), pages 216-245, July.
    15. Akilimali Ndatabaye Ephrem & Paul Martin Dontsop Nguezet & McEdward Murimbika & Zoumana Bamba & Victor Manyong, 2021. "Perceived Social Norms and Agripreneurial Intention among Youths in Eastern DRC," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-21, March.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    industrial policy; entrepreneurship; education; Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa
    • O25 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Industrial Policy
    • O14 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Industrialization; Manufacturing and Service Industries; Choice of Technology
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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