High-Tech Industrialisation

The chapter discusses the critical role of high-tech industrialisation in the growth and development of developing countries, emphasising its importance for sustained economic growth. Recognising the transformative impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), the text explores the potential of robotics, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and additive manufacturing in shaping high-tech industrialisation. The discussion focuses on two dimensions: shifts in the subsectoral composition of manufacturing towards technology-intensive sectors and the increasing technology intensity within any manufacturing subsector. Highlighting the relevance of industrialisation, the chapter underscores the complexities of policy choices in countries like South Africa, balancing the imperative for high-tech growth with the need for mass employment creation. The analysis incorporates a foresight orientation, considering emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in pursuing high-tech industrialisation. The chapter emphasises the coexistence of less technology-intensive manufacturing for employment creation. It outlines the complexities associated with growing high-tech industries, especially in the presence of skill and capability gaps.