Assembly/AU/Decl.1 (X)
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AU SUMMIT DECLARATION ON AFRICA’s INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT - DOC. EX.CL/379(XII)
We, the Heads of State and Government of the Member States of the African Union,
meeting at the 10th Ordinary Session of our Assembly in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from
31 January to 2 February 2008 on the theme of African industrialization:
Recalling the objectives set for the accelerated and sustainable socio-economic
development of Africa in the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community,
the Constitutive Act of the African Union, the New Partnership for Africa’s
Development (NEPAD) Programme and the Strategic Plan of the AU Commission;
Re-affirming our commitment to claim the 21st Century as a century of rapid change
for Africa and to eradicate poverty and improve the living conditions of our peoples by
2015;
Mindful of the imperative of resolving the paradox of widespread poverty in Africa in
the midst of the rich endowment of our continent in natural resources;
Aware of the strong link between industrialization and rapid economic growth and
development;
Desirous of transforming Africa from a primary commodity producing economy to a
value adding industrial economy;
Taking note of the fact that in spite of the efforts made so far, Africa’s share in global
manufacturing is still less than one percent (1%);
Further taking into consideration the NEPAD Spatial Development Programme
(SDP);
Determined to draw useful lessons from the experiences of the newly industrializing
and emerging economies;
Hereby:
1.
ENDORSE the Action Plan of the 1st Extraordinary Session of AU
Conference of Ministers of Industry (CAMI) on the industrial
development of Africa, and
2.
COMMIT OURSELVES to:
-
Accelerate the pace of Africa’s industrial development, especially the
conversion of natural resources to higher value-added products;
-
Adopt policies and programmes for natural resource processing and
greater value addition in Africa;