The manufacturing sector in Africa is estimated at over $400 billion annually and estimated to rise to $1 trillion by 2030. This is driven by Africa’s young and growing population and the emergence of new markets & technologies.

Nigeria's manufacturing sector is estimated to be over $66 billion as of 2021 and is Africa’s third largest manufacturer. It accounts for 15% of Nigeria’s economy. Like most African countries, the major manufactured goods include textiles, food processing, chemicals, and leather goods. Ghana's manufacturing sector is estimated to be worth over $8 billion as of 2021. Manufacturing accounts for over 10% of the country's GDP and employs around 500,000 people. South Africa’s manufacturing sector is estimated to be worth around $50 billion as of 2021. Manufacturing accounts for around 12% of the country's economy. Kenya's manufacturing sector is estimated to be worth over $7 billion as of 2021 and accounts for only 7% of the country's economy. Ivory Coast's manufacturing sector is estimated to be worth around $8.5 billion as of 2021. Manufacturing accounts for 11% of the country's economy. Senegal's manufacturing sector is estimated to be worth around $1.6 billion as of 2021. Manufacturing accounts for around 15% of the economy. 

There has been increasing demand for manufactured goods. Increasingly, African governments have pursued active policies to encourage manufacturing by encouraging foreign investments from China, India, and Asian countries and enacting local content regulation.