Track: Special Track: Industry 4.0

Abstract

The current fourth industrial revolution, called Industry 4.0, implies digitalisation is central to African countries to leverage the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and boost its manufacturing sector. However, the lack of right governmental policies, poor state of industries, and lack of regulatory frameworks in most African countries make digitalization of industries and for the continent to realize the goals of integration in line with AfCFTA complex. For Zambia, where no national Industry 4.0 initiative is in force, how is the manufacturing industry preparing for the digital future? This study was designed to answer this question. The study used a quantitative research design, and a structured questionnaire distributed to manufacturing companies appearing on the Zambia Association of Manufacturers’ database for data collection. A total of 50 questionnaires were successfully completed. The data were analysed using SPSS to conduct descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis. The results from the study show that the major challenges to the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies included; high investment cost of Industry 4.0 technologies, need to reduce costs to stay competitive, IT security, growing complexity of processes and lack of skills and insufficient training of the staff. These findings suggest that Zambia is likely to lag the adoption of the current industrial development, digitalization, and greater integration trajectory, and risk being left out of the AfCFTA and Industry 4.0 opportunities. It is recommended that a Industry 4.0 national initiative be put in place to help bolster Industry 4.0 adoption by manufacturing firms in Zambia.