Observed annually on November 20th, Africa Industrialization Day is a United Nations observance during which many African organizations and governments come together to explore ways to stimulate Africa’s industrialization process. It is also a day on which the public’s awareness is raised about the challenges and problems faced by Africa as it continues with industrialization.

This holiday was first conceived and enacted at the end of the 1980s. Each year, there is a specific theme that focuses the public’s attention on one key area of African industrialization. For example, in 2006, the theme was “Reducing Poverty Through Sustainable Industrial Development,” and in 2008, it was “Business Through Technology.”

The History of Africa Industrialization Day

In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the 25th Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the Organization of African Unity was held in July 1989. It was during this session that Africa Industrialization Day was declared to be held on November 20th of each year.

In December 1989, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed this date to be officially Africa Industrialization Day. However, it would not officially be celebrated until November 20th, 1990.

Observing Africa Industrialization Day

This holiday is observed with seminars and speeches across Africa. Special speeches are also delivered at UNIDO’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria, on this day, as well as at meetings of the African Union, the United Nations, and the Economic Commission for Africa.

The sincere aim of these events is to raise global awareness of the importance of African industrialization and to serve as a reminder to the rest of the world that 30 of the 50 countries with the least industrial development are in Africa. People can help spread the word about this holiday by using the hashtag #AfricaIndustrializationDay on their social media accounts.