Africa – Audio

The Africa Program and the Middle East Program analyze broad political, economic, and security trends in Sub-Saharan Africa and North Africa, respectively. The Global Health Policy Center, the Human Rights Initiative, the Prosperity and Development Project, and the Global Food Security Program each conduct work on Africa through the lens of their respective thematic areas. Find the latest research from our scholars and CSIS events on this region below. Please join us for a conversation on Sustainable Development Goal #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, which seeks to increase connectivity and productivity of developing countries’ industries and build resilient infrastructure systems to bolster economic growth.

Of the 4 billion people who lack access to the internet globally, more than 90% of them are in developing countries. Industrialization in lower- and lower-middle-income countries trails behind developed countries, while critical infrastructure and access to mobile connectivity, electricity, and sanitation remain limited. Developing countries’ industries often lack the necessary infrastructure and innovation opportunities to achieve sustainable economic growth. The result is an increasing disconnect between rural and urban areas, lack of innovation, and stagnating productivity levels.

Closing the infrastructure gap and building government capacity in developing countries would create a favorable environment for innovation and entrepreneurship and improve economic growth. Resilient and quality infrastructure systems will catalyze rapid economic development and increase the standard of living of a country’s population. Increasing official and private investment in infrastructure in developing countries, while also providing technical assistance, can help boost industrial and labor productivity.

To that end, this event will seek to answer questions about how developed countries can help lower- and lower-middle-income countries build their industries and workforce better? Furthermore, the event will also look at forms of sustainable infrastructure investments that are necessary for regions like Sub-Saharan Africa to further its efforts to industrialize and modernize its economy.

This event is part of the “Chevron Forum for Development” series focused on SDGs and made possible with general support from Chevron. So far, we have hosted events focused on SDG #7: Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG #16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, SDG #17: Partnerships for the Goals, SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG #4: Quality Education. Our most recent event was SDG #1: No Poverty.