POOR NATIONS NEED INDUSTRIALISATION – THISDAYLIVE

Developing Countries and Sustainable Development Goals: The Path to Industrialization

Francis E. Ogbimi argues that developing countries will achieve industrialization if they mobilize their citizens for learning.

The Importance of Sustainable Economic Growth and Industrialization

African, Latin-American, and some Asian nations have been facing challenges in achieving sustainable economic growth and industrialization (SEGI) due to their approach to development. It is crucial for nations to have a clear development guide, as the development process can be likened to a journey. Without the right guidance, nations may drift away from their desired destination. A World Bank study conducted in 2000 revealed that Africa was poorer in 2000 than it was in the 1970s.

The recent report jointly issued by the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) highlights the concerning increase in hunger and malnutrition worldwide. The number of people affected by hunger rose to 828 million in 2021, an increase of about 46 million since 2020 and 150 million since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The United Nations’ Efforts to Reduce Poverty

International concern about poverty emerged after World War II with the creation of the United Nations. The UN charter mandated the organization to promote higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social progress. During the 2000 Millennium Summit, the international community pledged to reduce global poverty by half in 2015. However, the UN reviewed this goal in 2001 and announced that it would not be achieved until 2030. The latest State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI) report indicates that the UN’s goal to reduce poverty has become a mirage.

The Solution: Industrialization

In the book “Causes and Remedies for Poverty in Africa,” it is argued that poverty-promoting thoughts and activities have hindered global efforts to reduce poverty. The solution lies in replacing these thoughts and activities with those that promote industrialization. Industrialization is the key to overcoming poverty.

Contrary to the belief that capital investment alone promotes SEGI, studies have shown that poverty is a characteristic feature of a capitalistic economic system. The rich Western and Asian nations achieved modern industrialization after centuries of being poor agricultural and artisan nations. They applied theoretical science to problem-solving, built relevant infrastructure, and became highly productive. Therefore, any nation aiming to reduce or eliminate poverty must prioritize rapid industrialization.

The Role of Learning in Industrialization

Industrialization is promoted through science and technology. Technological growth is a learning process. Every individual and nation acquires knowledge, skills, and competences (KSCs) through learning. As KSCs accumulate, a nation reaches a point where they form an invisible network that leads to industrialization. Just as a spider transforms its silk threads into a web, the combination of millions of knowledgeable, skilled, and competent individuals transforms an economy from low-productivity agriculture and artisan sectors to a high-productivity industrialized economy.

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The UN has set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address global challenges. These goals include eradicating poverty, eliminating hunger, promoting good health and well-being, ensuring quality education, achieving gender equality, providing clean water and sanitation, promoting affordable and clean energy, fostering decent work and economic growth, investing in industry, innovation, and infrastructure, reducing inequalities, creating sustainable cities and communities, promoting responsible consumption and production, taking climate action, conserving life below water and on land, fostering peace, justice, and strong institutions, and encouraging partnerships for the goals.

However, the UN’s approach mainly focuses on fundraising, international cooperation, capacity-building support, and market-based solutions to achieve the SDGs. This approach overlooks the importance of learning and industrialization in poverty reduction.

The Need for a Focus on Learning

Economists and other social scientists at the UN may lack a sense of history and understanding of the science behind industrialization. The emphasis on infrastructure development without prioritizing efforts to achieve SEGI is insufficient. Developing nations need to prioritize learning through education, training, employment, and research to achieve industrialization and reduce poverty.

Research suggests that the higher the learning rate, the sooner a nation can achieve industrialization. Therefore, developing countries should mobilize all their citizens for learning to expedite the process of industrialization.

Contact: Professor Ogbimi – fogbimi@yahoo.com

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.1: By 2030, eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere.
• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
• Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
• Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries.
• Target 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. However, the article does not explicitly state specific indicators. Indicators could include:

• Percentage of population living in extreme poverty
• Prevalence of hunger and malnutrition
• Literacy rate and access to quality education
• Gross domestic product growth rate
• Employment rate and share of industry in employment and GDP

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: thisdaylive.com

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