Prof. Douglas Boateng, a renowned industrial expert, is set to deliver a keynote address at the largest professional gathering on supply chain and industrialisation in Livingstone, Zambia, on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The event, organised by the African Supply Chain Confederation (ASCON), will bring together professionals to discuss the theme “Breaking down Barriers through Made in Africa”.
According to a statement issued by ASCON, Prof. Boateng will argue that African-manufactured products should progressively carry the label “MADE IN AFRICA” as a shared continental identity, qualified by the country of production. For instance, products made in Ghana, Nigeria, or Zambia will carry the labels “MADE IN AFRICA, Produced in Ghana”, “MADE IN AFRICA, Produced in Nigeria”, or “MADE IN AFRICA, Produced in Zambia”, respectively.
Prof. Boateng believes that genuine continental integration requires more than just customs posts and trade agreements. He emphasises that it demands the dismantling of psychological, procurement, and institutional barriers that prevent Africans from producing for, trading with, and confidently buying from one another. This, he argues, will help create industrial jobs and stimulate economic growth within the continent.
The Secretary General of ASCON, John Kirani, noted that the gathering will serve as an opportunity to connect Africa’s professional capability with its wider industrial ambitions. He added that Prof. Boateng’s address will challenge the attendees to connect national productive strength into a stronger African economic ecosystem.
Prof. Boateng also stated that every significant procurement decision is potentially an industrialisation decision. When an institution spends, it is also deciding whose factory receives demand, whose workers remain employed, and where tomorrow’s productive capability will be built. This, he believes, is crucial in promoting industrialisation and job creation within the continent.
The event aims to bring together Africa’s professional capability with its wider industrial ambitions. Prof. Boateng’s contribution to supply chain and industrialisation across the continent has been commended by ASCON. The gathering is expected to inspire new ideas and perspectives on how to promote industrialisation and economic growth in Africa.
Ultimately, the Africa people desire will not simply arrive at the ports in containers but should be imagined, financed, sourced, produced, and traded in by Africans themselves. With Prof. Boateng’s address, the attendees are expected to gain new insights into how to promote industrialisation and create a stronger African economic ecosystem.
Key points
- Prof. Douglas Boateng to deliver keynote address on industrialisation in Zambia
- Event to focus on theme “Breaking down Barriers through Made in Africa”
- Prof. Boateng to argue for “MADE IN AFRICA” label as a shared continental identity
