Accelerating Structural Transformation and Industrialization in Developing Countries: Navigating the Future with Advanced ICTs and Industry 4.0
Digital Transformation Alliance (DTA) and Alliance for Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing for Africa (AISMA)
Session 218
Context and Rationale:
Developing countries are entering a pivotal phase where the convergence of digital technologies and industrial policies can serve as a powerful catalyst for inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Unlike previous industrial revolutions, which largely bypassed many regions in Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia, the Fourth Industrial Revolution—driven by digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), digital twins, and robotics—offers unprecedented opportunities for leapfrogging.
This session builds on ongoing efforts by AISMA and UNIDO to promote inclusive digital industrialization. It aligns with global calls to strengthen digital cooperation, scale up smart manufacturing, and foster structural transformation through strategic investments in infrastructure, governance, and human capital.
The session will take place during the WSIS+20 High-Level Event, which marks two decades of global action on the information society and provides a timely platform to showcase innovative solutions, cross-regional cooperation, and visionary policy thinking.
Objectives
1. To explore how Industry 4.0 technologies are enabling smart manufacturing and economic
diversification in developing countries.
2. To identify inclusive policy frameworks that promote sustainable digital and industrial
transforma;on.
3. To highlight regional case studies and public-private partnerships suppor;ng innova;on
ecosystems.
4. To foster cross-regional dialogue and interna;onal coopera;on in support of long-term
structural change



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C2. Information and communication infrastructure
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C3. Access to information and knowledge
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C4. Capacity building
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C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs
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C6. Enabling environment
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C7. ICT applications: benefits in all aspects of life — E-government
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C8. Cultural diversity and identity, linguistic diversity and local content
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C11. International and regional cooperation
This session is strongly linked to multiple WSIS Action Lines, serving as an integrative platform for advancing their goals:
- C1. The role of governments and all stakeholders: Promotes policy dialogue and multi-stakeholder collaboration to design enabling frameworks for Industry 4.0 adoption.
- C2. Information and communication infrastructure: Highlights the importance of advanced ICT infrastructure (e.g., IoT networks, cloud, AI systems) for modern industrial and urban systems.
- C3. Access to information and knowledge: Supports knowledge-sharing on best practices and technologies to empower developing countries.
- C4. Capacity building: Emphasizes developing the skills and competencies needed for digital manufacturing, smart logistics, and governance.
- C5. Building confidence and security in use of ICTs: Addresses cybersecurity, data governance, and ethical AI frameworks critical for industrial and urban digitalization.
- C6. Enabling environment: Explores policy, regulatory, and investment incentives for industrial digital transformation.
- C7. ICT applications in all aspects of life: Demonstrates use cases in E-business (smart production, supply chains), E-government (smart governance), E-environment (sustainable production, green cities), E-employment (digital skills for Industry 4.0), and E-science (digital twins, AI R&D).
- C8. Cultural diversity and local content: Promotes locally relevant innovation and inclusive industrial strategies.
- C11. International and regional cooperation: Fosters cross-border partnerships to support technology transfer, joint research, and collaborative policy development.
By connecting these Action Lines to the practical challenges of structural transformation in developing countries, the session will show how advanced ICTs and Industry 4.0 can be harnessed to deliver inclusive, sustainable development in line with the WSIS vision.
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Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
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Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all
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Goal 6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all
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Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
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Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all
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Goal 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
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Goal 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
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Goal 17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development
The session is directly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
By exploring advanced ICT and Industry 4.0 technologies—including smart production, smart logistics, smart governance, and smart cities—the session will highlight strategies to drive sustainable industrialization, economic diversification, and productivity gains in developing countries.
It emphasizes inclusive and sustainable industrial transformation that leverages digital solutions to:
- Reduce the digital divide and promote equitable economic opportunities.
- Enhance resilience and sustainability in supply chains, manufacturing, and urban development.
- Foster innovation ecosystems and human capital development.
- Build robust multi-stakeholder partnerships across governments, industry, academia, and civil society to co-create solutions aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
The session will also discuss real-world case studies showing how advanced ICTs can enable countries to leapfrog legacy infrastructure constraints, promote local value addition, and achieve structural economic transformation in a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient manner.
- Objective 1: Close all digital divides and accelerate progress across the Sustainable Development Goals
- Objective 2: Expand inclusion in and benefits from the digital economy for all
- Objective 4: Advance responsible, equitable and interoperable data governance approaches
- Objective 5: Enhance international governance of artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity