This Briefing Paper examines a neglected but crucial aspect of Africa's plight, the crisis of industrialisation. Because so little attention has been paid to African industry in public debate, the full potential of future development may be underestimated and the limited gains that have been made may be lost. The paper notes that future prospects for rapid industrialisation in the region are far from bright and significant structural changes will occur over the coming five to ten years. It argues that to raise the prospects for sustained industrialisation and to ease the adjustments that need to be made, external assistance is vital.