More than 50 years after decolonization, the West still regards Africa as a supporting player in the global economy: a source of raw materials and little else. This outdated view has hampered Africa’s development of high-value manufacturing industries and integrated supply chains, impeding economic growth. As a result, disparities in per capita income between Africa and other regions have increased and the continent’s share of global trade has fallen below 3 percent, even though Africa accounts for almost one-fifth of the world’s population.

Hippolyte Fofack urges the rest of the world to recognize the continent’s demographic tailwind and industrial potential.

More than 50 years after decolonization, the West still regards Africa as a supporting player in the global economy: a source of raw materials and little else. This outdated view…