Firms from rich countries are taking factories home: what this means for Africa

There is no doubt that globalisation has benefitted Africa greatly. This includes job creation, innovation, increased productivity, and foreign direct investment.

But global value chains are shifting in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. These changes are informed by the decisions of various companies to shift or move their manufacturing or supply chain networks closer to their home countries. These decisions are being driven by a number of factors. They include a race to reduce exposure to disruptions, increase