Africa cannot trade its way to an industrial revolution

Author:
Zama Nkosi

"International trade cannot substitute for technological change, so those who depend on it as their major hope are doomed to frustration." This was the conclusion of economist Sir Arthur Lewis in a series of seminal lectures on the "evolution of the international trade order", in which he explained the positive implications for trade once industrialisation takes shape.

Tracing the history of industrialisation in developed countries, with the aim of extracting lessons that could be applied to developing countries, he argued that "international trade became an engine of growth in the 19th century, but not its proper role. The engine of growth should be technological change, with international trade serving as lubricating oil and not as fuel."

The article's full-text is available here.

Back to CIRSD recommends

Latest news

GPDI Co-Chair María Fernanda Espinosa Calls for UN Reform Centered on Preventive Diplomacy in Interview with GZERO Media

Paris — On the sidelines of the Paris Peace Forum, María Fernanda Espinosa, Co-Chair of the Global Preventive Diplomacy Initiative (GPDI) and former President of the United Nations General Assembly, spoke with GZERO Media’s Tony Maciulis about the urgent need to make global peace efforts more proactive through preventive diplomacy. Read more

CIRSD Vice President Participates at International Conference on Responsible Management Education

Belgrade, October 2025 — CIRSD Vice President Stefan Jovanović participated in the 12th Responsible Management Education Research Conference (RMERC), held last week in Belgrade. The event was organized by the University of Belgrade, Faculty of Organizational Sciences, and the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Anti-Poverty Working Group, bringing together representatives from academia, the business community, and international organizations from around the world. Read more

Maria Fernanda Espinosa Calls for Stronger Preventive Diplomacy as the UN Marks its 80th Anniversary

As the United Nations commemorates its 80th anniversary, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, former President of the UN General Assembly and Co-Chair of the Global Preventive Diplomacy Initiative (GPDI), spoke to CGTN’s flagship program The Agenda about the urgent need to modernize the UN and make preventive diplomacy the central pillar of its peace and security agenda. Read more

CIRSD and NGIC Coorganize a High-Level Conference at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna

Vienna, October 21, 2025 — The Center for International Relations and Sustainable Development (CIRSD) and the Nizami Ganjavi International Center (NGIC), convened a high-level international conference titled “Shifting Grounds: The Caucasus, Central Asia and Europe in a New Global Order”, in partnership with the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna. Read more