People First Podcast I Western and Central Africa I World Bank Group

Make Industrial Policy Work in Africa | People First Podcast

April 7, 2026·12 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

In this episode, Andrew Dabalen, Chief Economist for the World Bank Africa Region, is back on People First Podcast to answer the big question left hanging from his previous appearance: what kind of policies can actually drive job creation across the continent?The focus this time turns to industrial policy, the strategies, tools, and trade-offs that African governments are using to transform their economies and create jobs at scale. From tariffs to special economic zones, from natural resources to the promise of the African Continental Free Trade Area, the discussion gets into what works, what doesn't, and why discipline matters as much as ambition.The People First podcast is available online, on Spotify, and on Apple Podcast. For more updates, follow us by subscribing, and don’t forget to rate and comment on this episode.Sequences00:00 Introduction00:34 Global revival of industrial policy02:42 Go-to tools and invisible ingredients05:50 Conditions to leverage Africa's natural resources07:08 Governments and the African Continental Free Trade Area09:26 Building an ecosystem for productivity and jobs11:12 ConclusionAbout People First PodcastPeople First Podcast provides a human angle to concrete development topics as they affect people in Western and Central Africa. It also features World Bank Group projects and initiatives. Join us for a sustainable and inclusive development!About World Bank GroupThe World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.

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