ABUJA — Former President Goodluck Jonathan has warned that Africa risks missing out on the current technological revolution unless urgent steps are taken to strengthen human capital development across the continent.
Jonathan gave the warning on Monday while delivering a lecture titled, “Harnessing Industrial Capacity for Inclusive Growth and Regional Stability in Africa,” to participants of Course 34 of the National Defence College in Abuja.
He said Africa’s abundant natural resources alone could not guarantee prosperity without the capacity to convert them into high-value goods and services.
“If we miss out on the industrial revolution, agri-revolution, all the revolutions, ICT is now ruling the world. We cannot continue to lag behind. We must focus on young people,” he said.
The former President noted that Africa had abundant natural resources, a large market and significant human capital but continued to lag behind other regions in industrialisation and value addition.
He said technological development should form a central part of Africa’s industrialisation strategy, noting that knowledge, innovation and technology were increasingly driving the world’s wealthiest economies.
Jonathan said transforming Africa’s education and industrial sectors would require sustained political commitment and determination.
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