Technology and Skills in Zimbabwe's Manufacturing From Autarky to Competition

by Simón Teitel

Small Sub-Saharan African countries are facing difficult times trying to accelerate their economic growth while at the same time attempting to liberalize their economies. For many, independence has brought political freedom without economic and social improvement for their indigenous populations. Zimbabwe fits this description and while it has made significant strides in educating its population and distributing some agricultural land, it still lags in modernizing its manufacturing industries which survived for many years with little or no capital investment and restricted access to imports. Today, with increased globalization and liberalization of the international economy, Zimbabwe is facing competition with limited technological and skills resources at is disposal. This study, based on detailed analysis of the results of a survey of manufacturing firms in selected industries, shows the origin of the technologies they have mastered, the use made of external and domestic sources of technology, the skills being applied, their training and other needs, as well as the policies that could favorably affect future industrial development in Zimbabwe.

Get BookMosh