Leveraging digital technologies to boost productivity in the informal sector in Sub‐Saharan Africa

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Nguimkeu ◽  
Cedric Okou
Keyword(s):  
Informal Sector ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Sub Saharan

scholarly journals #RESISTHUDUMANAMBA: KENYAN GOVERNMENT AT A CROSSROAD

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Job Mwaura
Keyword(s):  
Identity Management ◽  
Digital Technologies ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Biometric Data ◽  
Qualitative Research Study ◽  
Online Spaces ◽  
Identity Management System ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government

In the past few years, Kenya’s digital landscape has transformed and this has been made possible by proliferation of the usage of digital technologies, particularly - mobile phones. Due to increased access to digital technologies, faster internet speeds, increased securitization among other issues, data on individuals in online spaces has also increased. Recently, the government rolled out a National Integrated Identity Management System (NIIMS) which is meant to capture biometric data but this has generated a huge debate online in Kenya under the hashtag #ResistHudumaNamba. This paper will therefore examine the following issues: What has contributed to the decline of trust between the government and its citizens when it comes to internet technologies? What are the actual sentiments given for and against in the introduction of Huduma Number? What are the underlying reasons for continued registration of individuals in Kenya? This research will be a qualitative research study. Data will be generated from social media sites (Twitter and Facebook), as well as blog posts and newspaper articles. A discourse analysis of the events around #ResistsHudumaNamba in these sources will be done so as to answer the research questions. This research has the potential to contribute to literature on trust in sub-Saharan Africa as well as establish trust issues between government and citizens when digital technologies are involved.

scholarly journals Skills Training in the Informal Sector: Perspectives from Ghana

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Ayerki Lamptey ◽  
Yaw A. Debrah
Keyword(s):  
Informal Sector ◽  
Youth Unemployment ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Informal Workers ◽  
Entrepreneurial Skills ◽  
Development Agenda ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Government ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

Youth unemployment is a major concern in sub-Saharan Africa. Unemployment usually results from the lack of appropriate skills to enter the labour market. In Ghana, many enter the informal sector to train for a vocation, but the problem with acquiring skills in the informal sector is that the training is usually informal and unstructured. This article explores the modes of training in the informal sector to find out how the skills provided aid the employability of these workers. It provides empirical evidence to anchor policies on education and institutional policy prescriptions towards effectively equipping the youth with both employable and entrepreneurial skills that promote economic growth in the country. This research adopts a qualitative approach to explore training in the informal sector, and follows the grounded theory process to collect and analyse data. In all, 26 respondents were sampled using the purposive and convenience methods. The findings indicate that training designed for informal workers is not linked to the development agenda of the state, and the institutions are challenged in the execution of their mandates. Some beneficiaries are unable to implement their learning for lack of start-up capital, and they divert to other entrepreneurial activities as a survival strategy. The government needs to plan for the development of entrepreneurial skills in the informal sector, to extend the coverage of this development and to support the industrialisation agenda.

scholarly journals Composite Index of Inclusive Growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Inclusion of the Informal Sector

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Omang Ombolo Messono ◽  
Nsoga Nsoga Mermoz Homère III
Keyword(s):  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Informal Sector ◽  
Composite Index ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Inclusive Growth ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Positive Growth ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Growth Changes

This paper aims to provide a composite index of inclusive growth in 32 sub-Saharan African countries between 1995 and 2014 by taking into account the importance of the informal sector. Following the principal component analysis methods, we find specifically that except for countries such as Djibouti, Burkina Faso, Mauritius, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, inclusive growth has trended upward over the study period. This trend is non-linear and is characterized by two sub periods. From 1995 to 2005, the composite index of inclusive growth is essentially negative. On the other hand, positive growth in value is recorded over the second sub-period from 2005 to 2014. Overall and on average, these countries have experienced inclusive growth. Moreover, we also note that in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mauritius and Nigeria, on the side-lines of the informal sector inclusive growth has a negative trend. However, when we integrate the informal sector, the trend of inclusive growth changes sign and becomes positive.

scholarly journals Migrants’ Vulnerabilities and Their Responses to the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Mobile Shoe Shine Boys in the Cape Coast Metropolis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
King David Dzirasah
Keyword(s):  
Informal Sector ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Customer Base ◽  
Vulnerability Model ◽  
Interview Guide ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Covid-19 pandemic has impacted socio-economic activities in sub-Saharan Africa and Ghana for that matter. Occupations in the informal sector such as shoe-shine business have been affected by the disease outbreak. This paper focuses on migrant vulnerabilities and their responses to Covid-19 with a specific focus on shoe-shine boys in Cape Coast Metropolis. The study is guided by the IOM determinants of migrant vulnerability model, empirical review on the shoe-shine business and conceptual framework on shoe-shine business within the informal sector. Using an interview guide, ten shoe-shine boys were interviewed in the Cape Coast Metropolis. Their responses were transcribed and a content analysis was employed to analyze the data. The main challenges caused by Covid-19 were the reduction in income, decrease in customer base and changes in the nature of work. The study concluded that the irregular nature of the shoe-shine business exacerbated the impact of the covid-19 on the occupation but individual coping strategies were key in ensuring the sustainability of the occupation.

scholarly journals The Informal Sector In Sub-Saharan Africa: Out Of The Shadows To Foster Sustainable Employment And Equity?

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald L Sparks ◽  
Stephen T. Barnett
Keyword(s):  
Informal Sector ◽  
Job Creation ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
African Union ◽  
Formal Sector ◽  
Access To Credit ◽  
The Past ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
National Databases ◽  
Property Title

Over the past twenty years or so, there has been a debate that basically asks “…whether the informal sector should really be seen as a marginalized, ‘survival’ sector, which mops up excess or entrenched workers, or as a vibrant, entrepreneurial part of the economy which can stimulate economic growth and job creation.” (African Union 2008). This paper argues the latter. Further, this paper argues that employment in the informal sector is no longer a journey, but has become the destination of many. If the aim is to create jobs and reduce poverty, the informal sector must be included in the debate. Indeed, this paper recommends that the debate about the advantages of formal sector vs. the informal sector needs to end.  Governments need to unequivocally recognize and admit the importance of the informal sector and finds ways to encourage its growth. They also need, at the same time, to decide how to strengthen the formal sector and extend benefits to those in the informal sector, while removing barriers to the formal sector to allow more to participate.  Specifically, there are at least five major areas where changes need to be made:  1) Establish an enabling environment and supportive regulatory framework, 2) Provide access to appropriate training, 3) Improve basic facilities and amenities and infrastructure, 4) Increase ability to obtain property title and access to credit, and 5) Improve national databases and establish uniform standards.

ICT for Improving Financial Access in Informal Sector

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 17-30
Author(s):  
Mwanaidi Shafii Msuya
Keyword(s):  
Communication Technology ◽  
Informal Sector ◽  
Economies Of Scale ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Access To Finance ◽  
Digital Revolution ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Information And Communication ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Formal Finance

Access to finance is an important factor for the sustainability and growth of business. Lack of finance means that, the business will operate under-optimal and cannot enjoy economies of scale. This article explores the difficulties of informal sector access to formal finance. The author offers means by which information and communication technology (ICT) can help bridge that gap. The study carried out asystematic literature review where several articles from Sub-Saharan Africa were reviewed. The findings show that access to finance is constrained by information asymmetry, lack of collateral, business informality, and bureaucratic procedures for accessing finance. ICT has potential to overcome these challenges by streamlining information flow, providing online collateral registration and reducing administrative processes for loan processing, disbursement and repayment. The findings suggest that, despite the big digital revolution in Africa, little has been done to align the digital world with the challenges of the informal sector.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document