Africa Industrialization Day focuses on entrepreneurialism

Africa Industrialization Day was celebrated recently, and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said it's time not only to reflect on the continent's growth and progress, but also to take a hard look at where Africa is falling short with regard to economic and human development issues.

"Agriculture still accounts for the major share of rural household income and employs over 60 percent of Africa's labor force, particularly women,” Ki-moon said in a statement. “Far too often, economic development depends on the extraction of natural resources and on low-skilled labor, which has resulted in a weak manufacturing base and uneven distribution of wealth.”

The theme of the day was “SMEs (small- to medium-size enterprises) for Poverty Eradication and Job Creation for Women and Youth.”

Ki-moon said employers hiring more youth and women would keep Africa on track for achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that was approved in September by United Nations member states.

"I reaffirm the commitment of the United Nations to promote Africa's inclusive and sustainable industrial development to help ensure an economically prosperous and socially integrated continent,” Ki-moon said.