The Pan-African Manufacturers Association (PAMA) has warned that persistent insecurity is posing a major threat to Africa's manufacturing sector, citing violent insurgencies, political instability, and armed conflicts as key factors undermining industrial progress and investor confidence.
This was revealed in a report titled "The Shadow of Insecurity: A Threat to Africa's Manufacturing Sector," published in PAMA's February newsletter.
The association noted that conflicts across the continent are crippling industrial output, disrupting supply chains, and driving away investors.
Impact of Conflicts on Industrial Growth
PAMA identified key conflicts affecting manufacturing, including:
The ongoing conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Army and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, which has severely disrupted mineral processing—a sector vital to global technology supply chains.
The insurgency in Sudan and South Sudan, which has contributed to Sudan's staggering inflation rate of 145.14% as of January 2025, fueling economic decline and industrial stagnation.
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Urgent Interventions Needed
PAMA has called for urgent and coordinated interventions to strengthen security institutions, rebuild infrastructure, and support struggling manufacturers.
"This edition sheds light on the alarming impact of insecurity on manufacturing and calls for urgent and coordinated responses, including strengthening security institutions, rebuilding infrastructure, and deploying financial safety nets for manufacturers to stabilize Africa's industrial hubs," the report emphasized.
The association urged African governments and regional blocs to prioritize security and improve economic resilience through targeted policies.
PAMA Pushes for 'Buy Africa' Initiative
In addition to addressing insecurity, PAMA is advocating for increased patronage of locally manufactured goods through its "Buy Africa, Build Africa" campaign.
It warned that Africa's overreliance on imported goods could turn the continent into a dumping ground for substandard products, especially amid global tariff wars and protectionist policies like the United States' "America First" agenda.
"The solution lies in a collective shift toward prioritizing Made-in-Africa goods," the association stated, emphasizing that supporting local industries is not just a pathway to economic growth but also economic survival.
PAMA called on African leaders to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and unite behind homegrown solutions to confront the challenges impeding industrial growth.
"History teaches us that crises often birth innovation. By uniting behind homegrown solutions, leveraging the AfCFTA, and confronting insecurity head-on, Africa can transform today's challenges into tomorrow's opportunities," the association noted.
