Informal Economy and the Attainment of Sustainable Development across Sub-Saharan Africa’s Sub-region

Ayodotun Stephen Ibidunni () and Evans S. Osabuohien ()
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Ayodotun Stephen Ibidunni: James Hope University, Department of Innovation, Intrapreneurship, and Entrepreneurship
Evans S. Osabuohien: Covenant University, Centre for Economic Policy and Development Research (CEPDeR)

A chapter in Economic Transformation in Sub-Saharan Africa, Volume I, 2026, pp 295-301 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract The discourse in this volume submits that informal economy (IE) in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries plays a pivotal role in shaping the economic, social, and environmental spheres of the region; debated challenges, notwithstanding. This is sine qua non as IE provides employment, secures household incomes, and supports gross domestic products (GDP). The IE contribution to economic sustainability is evident in job creation and poverty reduction, as informal businesses provide the fulcrum for entrepreneurial ideas that drive innovations, creativity, and productivity. We argue that when the challenges (e.g., limited access to social security, weak institutional support, environmental concerns, and unregulated informal activities) are tackled, IE would play complementary role towards contribution to sustainable development in SSA. Thus, the need for an inclusive approach that coordinates and integrates IE into sustainable development policies to ensure long-term resilience in SSA cannot be overemphasised.

Keywords: Informal economy; Sustainable development; Sub-Saharan Africa (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-031-77821-6_11

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-77821-6_11

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