By any measure of economic transformation, Africa stands at a decisive juncture. In an era where global value chains (GVCs) shape the geography of production and innovation determines who captures value, Africa’s industrial future must be reconceived — not just as a matter of manufacturing more, but of learning better, innovating faster, and integrating smarter.
The path to industrialisation in the 21st century no longer mirrors the trajectories of the past. Today, success lies in how well a country navigates the intersections of global production networks, innovation systems, and strategic industrial policy. For Africa, the challenge is clear: to transition from being rule-takers at the periphery of GVCs to becoming value-makers embedded in the heart of global economic transformations. The AfricaLics RCA focused on GVCs, Innovation, and Industrialization, with an emphasis on the future of work in Africa, has undergone significant progress since its establishement in 2022. Originally conceived as a preliminary effort, the RCA has now developed into a structured and long-term research agenda, one that holds substantial potential for transforming Africa’s engagement with global economic trends. The central objective of the research is to explore how African countries can leverage GVCs, foster innovation, and promote industrialisation to improve their economic standing in an increasingly interconnected global economy.
The RCS is led by Prof. Oluseye Jegede (Visiting Associate Professor, South African Research Chair in Entrepreneurship Education / Business Management, University of Johannesburg. Prof. Jagede is an expert university lecturer in entrepreneurship with more than 12 years of experience teaching at the undergraduate and postgraduate level in both developing and developed country context. Distinguished record of publication in academic journals all over the world. Endorsed by the Royal Academy of Engineering as an exceptional talent in innovation and entrepreneurship. Commitment to helping university students develop their full potential in their studies. Strong philosophy of teaching, and knowledge of many different methods to motivate students to develop their expertise in specific areas.