Leveraging on the Application of Indigenous Technology in the Informal Manufacturing Sector for Advancing Sustainable Development in Nigeria

Abstract

The informal sector contributes significantly to the growth of the Nigerian economy, accounting for over 40 percent of the annual growth of the gross domestic product and employing a majority of the nation's workforce. Indigenous manufacturing in the informal sector, which affects all spheres of the economy, can be deployed to promote sustainable development in Nigeria. Nigerian informal manufacturing is largely based on the use of indigenous technology, and as a result, this provides an opportunity for such players in the sector to consider the role their operations could play in promoting sustainable development in the country. This, they can realize by keying into the principles of sustainability and moderating the impact of their operations on the environment, society, and the economy at large. Nigeria, among other African countries, has persistently suffered the adverse effects of pollution and abuse of the environment in terms of flooding, deforestation, and desertification, among others. Those employing indigenous technology in manufacturing in the informal sector should therefore be encouraged to take the lead in Africa in order to promote and guarantee environmental sustainability, biodiversity and sustainable development in general by imbibing the culture of waste recycling, waste reduction, waste conversion, using green energy and the application of environmental and related resources with moderation, taking into consideration the interests of the future generation. In general, efforts should be made towards modernizing the application of indigenous technology in informal manufacturing in order to enhance sustainability in the country.

Citation

Aminu, A. and Collins, K. (2024), "Leveraging on the Application of Indigenous Technology in the Informal Manufacturing Sector for Advancing Sustainable Development in Nigeria", Pal, M.K. and Das, P. (Ed.) Informal Manufacturing and Environmental Sustainability, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 15-27. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83549-998-620241002