Exporting Africa: Technology, Trade and Industrialization in Sub-Saharan Africa (Unu Intech Studies in New Technology and Development, No 4)

449 Pages·1995·3.1 MB·English

by  Sam Wangwe

Exporting Africa
The economic crisis which has hit Africa in the past decade is raising
questions about Africa’s future position in world trade and whether it
has any chance of developing a competitive industrial structure.
Professor Wangwe addresses these questions on the basis of
commissioned studies of fifty-five exporting manufacturers in six
African countries carried out by local experts of considerable
standing in the field. He examines the question of why some firms in
the Sub-Saharan economies have been able to maintain their
positions in the world market despite generally unfavourable
circumstances. In particular the papers seek to understand how these
firms have been able to sustain their competitiveness in the face of
rapid technological change in the international economy in the
context of the threats and promises such change presents to Africa. A
case is made for selective complementary investments by
governments to build the technological capabilities which are
necessary for attaining and maintaining competitiveness.
The country studies present new empirical research and an innovative
conceptual framework which will be of interest to academics in the
development field and to government and international policy
makers.
Samuel M.Wangwe is Director of the Economic and Research
Foundation, Dar es Salaam. He was Senior Research Fellow at UNU/
INTECH between 1991 and 1994.
UNU/INTECH Studies in New Technology and
Development
Series editors: Charles Cooper and Swasti Mitter
The books in this series reflect the research initiatives at the United
Nations University Institute for New Technologies (UNU/INTECH)
based in Maastricht, the Netherlands. This institute is primarily a
research centre within the UN system and evaluates the social,
political and economic environment in which new technologies are
adopted and adapted in the developing world. The books in the series
explore the role that technology policies can play in bridging the
economic gap between nations, as well as between groups within
nations. The authors and contributors are leading scholars in them
field of technology and development; their work focuses on:

(cid:127) the social and economic implications of new technologies;
(cid:127) processes of diffusion of such technologies to the developing
world;
(cid:127) the impact of such technologies on income, employment and
environment;
(cid:127) the political dynamics of technological transfer.

The series is a pioneering attempt at placing technology policies at
the heart of national and international strategies for development.
This is likely to prove crucial in the globalized market, for the
competitiveness and sustainable growth of poorer nations.
1 Women Encounter Technology
Changing Patterns of Employment in the Third World
Edited by Swasti Mitter and Sheila Rowbotham
2 In Pursuit of Science and Technology in Sub-Saharan Africa
J.L.Enos
3 Politics of Technology in Latin America
Edited by Maria Inês Bastos and Charles M.Cooper
4 Exporting Africa
Technology and Industrialization in Sub-Saharan Africa
Edited by Samuel M.Wangwe
Exporting Africa

Technology, Trade and
Industrialization in Sub-Saharan
Africa
Edited by Samuel M.Wangwe
London and New York
Published in association with the UNU Press
First published 1995
by Routledge
11 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE
This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005.
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© UNU/INTECH
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from
the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book has been requested
ISBN 0-203-20901-X Master e-book ISBN

ISBN 0-203-26726-5 (Adobe eReader Format)
ISBN 0-415-12691-6 (Print Edition)
ISSN 1359–7922
Contents
List of tables vii
List of contributors xi
Acknowledgements xii
Part I Exporting Africa: an analysis
1 Introduction 3
2 Trade theory: relevance and implications for African
export orientation 16
3 Some conceptual issues and methodology of the study 35
4 The changing world economy: market conditions and
technological developments 52
5 Main findings of the study: a synthesis 82
6 Conclusions and policy implications 117
Bibliography 131
Part II Country studies
7 Zimbabwe 143
Dan Ndela and Peter Robinson
8 Tanzania 199
M.S.D.Bagachwa and A.V.Y.Mbelle
9 Nigeria 246
Oluremi Ogun
10 Kenya 296
Gerrishon K.Ikiara
vi Contents
11 The Ivory Coast 344
Oussou Kouassy and Bouabre Bohoun
12 Mauritius 383
Prof. R.Lamusse
Appendix: Survey questions 405
Index 413
Tables
4.1 Main technological developments in various phases of
short staple-spinning and their effects on output 65
4.2 Main technological developments in various phases
of short staple-spinning and their effects on capital
cost per machine 65
4.3 Labour costs in selected countries 1980–90 66
7.1 Estimated contribution of sample sub-sectors to
manufacturing GDP, exports and employment 1992 151
7.2 Profile of Zimbabwean textile and clothing firms 157
7.3 Employment and production capacity of sample
firms 171
8.1 Summary performance indicators for manufactured
exports 1966–90 205
8.2 Export diversification in Tanzania 1966–92 206
8.3 Illustrative matrix of technological capabilities 212
8.4 Size and performance indicators of sample
non-textile firms over time 213
8.5 Performance indicators for sample non-textile firms
for selected years 238
8.6 Comparative structure of textile consumption in
Tanzania 1985 and 1988 241
8.7 Capacity and output of the textile industry in
Tanzania for selected years 241
8.8 Exports of textile products in Tanzania 1985–92 242
9.1 Distribution of gross domestic product in Nigeria
for selected years 247
9.2 Exports by commodity groups in selected years 249
9.3 Exports by economic sectors in selected years 251
9.4 Composition of manufactured exports 251
9.5 Total exports by destination 1980–89 252
viii Tables
9.6 Performance indicators for ANPLC 261
9.7 Performance indicators for SMNL 261
9.8 Manpower statistics for ANPLC 268
9.9 Manpower statistics for SMNL 268
9.10 Performance indicators for NBPLC 271
9.11 Manpower statistics for NBPLC 273
9.12 Performance indicators for CIL 282
9.13 Performance indicators for IFN 283
9.14 Manpower statistics for CIL 283
9.15 Manpower statistics for IFN 285
10.1 Production and export trends for Del Monte 310
10.2 Structure of employment for EAI 310
10.3 Export trend for EAI 1981–91 312
10.4 Sales and exports for Sterling Health (Ksh million) 319
10.5 Production and exports for Cosmos 319
10.6 Production and exports of cement for BPCC 330
10.7 Basic data for the two cement-industry firms 330
11.1 Market shares by volume in the soap and oil market
1990 347
11.2 Sales and products for Cosmivoire 350
11.3 Market shares for Cosmivoire 350
11.4 Performance of the factors of production for
Cosmivoire 350
11.5 Protection, comparative advantage and financial
performance indicators for Cosmivoire 351
11.6 Sales and products for Trituraf 353
11.7 Market shares for Trituraf 353
11.8 Performance of the factors of production for Trituraf 353
11.9 Protection, comparative advantage and financial
performance indicators for Trituraf 354
11.10 Indicators of the management of technology and
human resources for Cosmivoire 354
11.11 Investment strategy indicators for Cosmivoire 354
11.12 Investment strategy indicators for Trituraf 354
11.13 Indicators of the management of technology and
human resources for Trituraf 355
11.14 Sales and products for Capral 360
11.15 Market shares for Capral 360
11.16 Performance of the factors of production for Capral 360
11.17 Protection, comparative advantage and financial
performance indicators for Capral 360
11.18 Sales and products for Saco 362
Tables ix
11.19 Market shares for Saco 362
11.20 Performance of the factors of production for Saco 362
11.21 Protection, comparative advantage and financial
performance indicators for Saco 363
11.22 Investment strategy indicators for Capral 365
11.23 Indicators of the management of technology and
human resources for Capral 365
11.24 Investment strategy indicators for Saco 365
11.25 Indicators of the management of technology and
human resources for Saco 365
11.26 Sales and products for Uniwax 371
11.27 Market shares for Uniwax 371
11.28 Performance of the factors of production for Uniwax 371
11.29 Protection, comparative advantage and financial
performance indicators for Uniwax 371
11.30 Sales and products for Cotivo 374
11.31 Market shares for Cotivo 374
11.32 Performance of the factors of production for Cotivo 374
11.33 Protection, comparative advantage and financial
performance indicators for Cotivo 374
11.34 Investment strategy indicators for Uniwax 377
11.35 Indicators of the management of technology and
human resources for Uniwax 377
11.36 Investment strategy indicators for Cotivo 377
11.37 Indicators of the management of technology and
human resources for Cotivo 377