Center for Business and Development Studies Event: Moving Beyond Enclave Development? Industry, Labour and the State in Africa in Neo-Protectionist Times.

Organisers: Søren Jeppesen, CBDS & Andries Bezuidenhout, University of Fort Hare

Motivation: Ensuring sustainable development understood as decent jobs and livelihoods along with dynamic development of manufacturing industries is a longstanding aspiration in the Global South. Under the mantra of ‘trade, not aid’, African countries have targeted access to Northern consumer markets to get into global value chains and to then upgrade from there as a development strategy. However, such gains have largely remained elusive. Footholds in manufacturing exports have been contained to manufacturing enclaves, such as export processing zones. Also, the strategy now comes under further pressure due to a return to economic protectionism in the Global North. To be sure, few examples of successful economic and social upgrading are found, as most experiences show limited and one-sided achievements mainly resulting in particular firms, industries and certain government quarters gaining from efforts unfolded. How can we then suggest moving beyond such an ‘enclave’ type of development? Based on a long-term study of the changes in the garment industry in Southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho and Eswatini) the workshop brings the topic to debate while contrasting with additional experiences from other sectors and countries.

Objectives: The workshop aims to: a) Critically discuss sustained (domestic) industrial development in the context of global inequality and a return to economic protectionism (whether this is real, or only partial) b) Have cross sector discussions of the topic (contrasting garment manufacturing with other industries, such as cut-flowers, chocolate and wine, c) Bring a group of like-minded scholars together to explore the options for further collaboration, including joint funding application.

Broad description of the event: The 1-day workshop will include 3 main sessions. Including Vijay Makanjee, Ruliv, South Africa.

Timing & Venue: Monday 30 June 2025. At CBS, Dalgas Have 15, 2000 Frederiksberg. From 9 am to 4.30 pm. Room D.Ø.2.71-73 (2^nd floor, East End, room 2.71-2.73 + Lunch in the CBS Cantine).

Session 1: The New Landscape for Development and Trade, moderator Peter Kragelund, DIIS?

A plenary discussion on the shift from neoliberalism to the rise of new populisms, economic nationalism and war (all consequences of neoliberal globalization). What does the new landscape mean for development strategy in Africa? Are there advantages to be leveraged from BRICS as a block, or is authoritarianism in BRICS countries too large a stumbling block? What are the implications for global firms, local industry, organized and unorganized labour, and the state? The session will be based on 5-minute inputs from all participants, followed by an open discussion.

Session 2: Case Studies of Development and Trade, moderator Søren Jeppesen, CBS

This session will be based on case studies of manufacturing exports from Africa to the EU and the US and will evaluate the developmental (or under-developmental) outcomes. We will focus on the South African, Lesotho, and Eswatini garment industries, but would also like to include cut-flowers (from Kenya), chocolate (from Ghana) and wine (from South Africa).

Session 3: Theorizing the New Context for Tade and Development, moderator Andries Bezuidenhout, UFH

This session will follow an open discussion format, like the first one, and will be based on a general discussion of theoretical and conceptual innovations and streams of through related to the implications of the shift from neoliberal globalization to de-globalizations and economic nationalism. A primary point of departure will be the literature on Global Value Chains/Global Production Networks, as well as approaches to understanding dual economies and enclave societies.

Session 4: Identifying Potential Future Research Ideas and Projects & Closing remarks, moderators Andries & Søren/all

An open discussion on possible research cooperation emerging from the colloquium, ending with a couple of closing remarks. 

Tentative program:

9.00-9.30: Registration & Coffee – CBS building Dalgas Have 15, 2^nd floor, room D.Ø.2.71-73.

9.30-9.45: Welcome & The program of the day, by Søren Jeppesen & Andries Bezuidenhout

9.45-11.00: Session 1, moderated by Peter Kragelund, DIIS

11.00-11.15: Coffee, tea and cake

11.15-12.30: Session 2, moderated by Søren Jeppesen, CBS

12.30-13.30: Lunch (in the CBS Cantine, Ground Floor, Dalgas Have 15)

13.30-13.45: The program of the afternoon & Practicalities, Søren & Andries

13.14-15.15: Session 3, moderated by Andries Bezuidenhout, UFH

15.15-15.30: Coffee, tea and cake

15.30-16.30: Session 4 & Closing, by Søren Jeppesen & Andries Bezuidenhout

16.30: Afternoon drink at nearby café

18.30: Dinner, Restaurant Sale é Pepe, Nordre Fasanvej 3