Osabuohien et al. (2023) examined the effects of industrial policies on manufacturing performance in Nigeria
under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) from 2003 to 2022. Using an econometric analysis of
time-series data, the study found that while the ERGP provided a strategic framework for industrial growth,
inconsistent implementation and inadequate coordination between federal and state agencies limited its
effectiveness. Mensah and Okyere (2023) analyzed the impact of Ghana’s industrial policies on the
manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP using a vector autoregression (VAR) model 2007 to 2019. The
study revealed that policies such as the One District, One Factory (1D1F) initiative had a positive effect on
manufacturing output in the short run, but structural constraints such as inadequate electricity supply and
limited access to credit weakened long-term growth prospects. The study recommended increased public-
private partnerships and improved access to finance for small and medium-sized manufacturers.
Diof and Sarr (2022) investigated the relationship between industrialization policies and manufacturing output
in Senegal using a computable general equilibrium (CGE) model from 2002 - 2021. Their findings suggested
that while policies such as the Plan Sénégal Émergent (PSE) had significantly increased industrial investments,
the country’s over-reliance on foreign capital and technology transfer limited the sustainability of these gains.
The study recommended a shift toward domestic capacity-building, investment in local research and
development, and targeted fiscal incentives to encourage indigenous manufacturing growth. Ouedraogo (2021)
explored the effectiveness of Burkina Faso’s industrialization strategy on manufacturing sector growth from
1998- 2019 using a fixed-effects regression model. The study found that while government interventions
increased manufacturing output, challenges such as high production costs, inadequate energy supply, and poor
transportation networks constrained progress.
Ibrahim and Ahmed (2021) evaluated the impact of Guinea’s industrialization policies on manufacturing sector
performance from 2010 – 2020 through an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model. The results indicated
that although government efforts to promote industrialization had led to some improvements in production
capacity, the overall growth remained sluggish due to limited access to financing and weak institutional
support. Boateng (2020) studied the effects of Ghana’s industrial policy reforms on manufacturing productivity
from 1999 to 2019, using a stochastic frontier analysis. The findings revealed that while policy measures such
as tax incentives and reduced import tariffs had improved industrial efficiency, persistent challenges such as
inadequate skilled labor and poor access to modern technology impeded sustained growth.
Diakite (2014) analyzed the effect of Côte d'Ivoire’s industrial diversification policies on manufacturing
development from 1994 - 2013 using an input-output model. The study found that diversification strategies
improved industrial output and reduced dependence on agricultural exports. Toure (2013) studied the role of
regional integration in promoting industrial growth in Senegal using a gravity model from 1997 - 2010. The
findings indicated that trade agreements within the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU)
enhanced industrial competitiveness and expanded manufacturing output. However, weak institutional
coordination and inconsistent policy implementation slowed industrial growth.
Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework for this study is based on the Structural Change Theory, which offers a
comprehensive explanation of the dynamics between industrial policies and manufacturing output growth in
developing regions, including West Africa. Structural Change Theory focuses on the transformation of an
economy’s structure, where resources are shifted from low-productivity sectors, such as agriculture, to high-
productivity sectors, particularly manufacturing. This transition is crucial for achieving sustainable economic
growth and reducing dependence on primary commodities (McMillan & Rodrik, 2011). West African
countries, like many developing economies, have traditionally depended on the export of raw materials such as
oil, cocoa, and metals. While these commodities provide foreign exchange earnings, they leave economies
vulnerable to price volatility and external shocks, limiting opportunities for industrialization and inclusive
growth (UNECA, 2013).
In Nigeria, for example, the National Industrial Revolution Plan (NIRP) seeks to shift focus from oil exports to
manufacturing, promoting industries such as agro-processing, petrochemicals, and technology. The Structural
Change Theory underpins such policies, advocating for government interventions to catalyze resource