pcl-rer, but its l!lar.ufacturinr cutJ:.U1. is stafna,tinf a;;o tas not ad­ vancec sienifican"tly since ir.cerencence. J.n 1981, ~~anufacturing production (eYcluein( cetals) was 20 rer cent lc~er th~n in 1976, an~ only 0.6 rer cent hifher than in 1980. However, this was an imprcvemeL: considerinf the ccntinucus decline e~rerie~ced in tue period 1976-198L. In the United Republic of Ca~erocn, where manufaoturinr represent~ ~round a fiftt ~f GDP, prceress has con­ tinued at a hifh rate, anc tt.e e.:·css current va~ue cf :r.anufactur­ ing in 1980/81 was n;cre than double the value in 1 ~-76/77. The incustry is supportea by booming e~ports to the neifhbo~rirf markets within UDEAC. 63 E;.LCA/CI:.9/5 108. L, Kenya, manu:·actu rint: production grew in 1981 &<. a rate of only 5 f"' r cent, sli t;htly less than in 1980 an o well bel ow the 7.6 per cent <.:..C;~ieved in 1979. The industry was affected by balance-of~payments difficulties, which reduced supplies of im­ ported inputs, and by lower 68~anc. In the United Republic of Tanzania, manufacturinf suffered a large reduction in output (28.2 rer cent) on top of the fall experienced in 1980, and capacity utilization fell to 10 per cent in some cases, ~ith some firms clcsinf. Production continued to suffer from shorta€es of raw mateials, ~pare parts ana other intermediate inputs caused by foreirn eYchanee d::..iculties. In Zirnbabv1e, in contrast, the growth of manufacturinr l'i::li.ainec' viforous in 1981 (10 per cent after 15 per cent in 1980), tLcurh in 1982 there were ominous si ens of flae£inr output; the volu.!'le of uutput in June 1982 l-IaS 3 per cent lower than the June 1921 level. This was due mainly to t11e lar["e cuts n:ade in fcreirn e>chanre allowances fer the private sector, and in ad6ition the devaluation of the ran6 hurt Zimbabwean eYJ~urts to neirhbourinr countries •. 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the manufacturing sector in several African countries, highlighting the performance of their industries in terms of production, growth rates, and challenges faced. The text provides specific data and examples to illustrate the points made, which suggests that the focus is on economic development and industry.

**Category**
Economic development, Industry