High-Level AU Side Event Calls for Accelerated Industrialization Through South-South Cooperation and Technology Transfer

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (February 13, 2026) — Senior African policymakers, business leaders, development partners, and corporate executives gathered today in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, for a high-level event organized by the UN Sustainable Development Solution Network (SDSN) alongside the African Union, focused on advancing Africa’s industrial transformation through South-South cooperation and technology transfer.

Held at the Inter Luxury Hotel, the event addressed the urgent need to strengthen Africa’s manufacturing capacity, increase intra-regional trade, and accelerate implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063.

"Africa’s era of rapid growth has arrived,” said Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs, President of the SDSN. “The continent’s next phase of development will achieve rapid growth supported by the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Africa’s massive reserves of clean energy, and the rapid scale-up of education and science. With an AU-wide strategy—scaling solar power, quality education, cutting-edge technologies, and continental wide value chains —Africa will accelerate inclusive growth, create tens of millions of quality jobs, advance Agenda 2063, and make a decisive contribution to global sustainable development.”

Despite the promise of the AfCFTA, intra-African trade remains at approximately 15 percent — significantly lower than other regions — underscoring the need for deeper industrial integration and stronger production capacity across the continent.

The dialogue emphasized strengthening partnerships between African economies and global partners; leveraging green and advanced technologies to address energy and productivity gaps; catalyzing private-sector-led industrial growth; and developing regional value chains to deepen integration and enhance Africa’s integration into global value chains.

The event was organized in collaboration with international and regional partners, including AUC, AfroChampions, and PACCI.