The Emerging Gig Economy and Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

Desmond Ayentimi, Albert Amankwaa and John Burgess ()
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Desmond Ayentimi: College of Business and Economics, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Australia
Albert Amankwaa: College of Business and Economics, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7001, Australia
John Burgess: Centre for Organisational Change and Agility, Torrens University, Adelaide 5001, Australia

Societies, 2025, vol. 15, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: Online work mediated by digital platforms is prevalent across various sectors, including food delivery, data entry, and professional services. Globally, gig work and the gig economy are growing with improved and increased Internet coverage and mobile phone sales. Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is no exception as the online economy expands, albeit unevenly across the many countries in the region. Given that the region is afflicted by poverty, unemployment, and underemployment (especially for youth), low rates of female workforce participation, and a dominant informal economy where labour standards are absent, it is appropriate to consider whether the gig economy can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals linked to work. Drawing on secondary evidence, this review article considers the potential for the gig economy to contribute to jobs, income, employment standards, gender equity, and training and development. Despite the limited evidence from across the region and the evidence that many gig jobs are precarious and low-paid, it is suggested that gig working has the potential to contribute to the sustainable development of the region.

Keywords: decent work; gender equity; gig economy; informal sector; jobs; sub-Saharan Africa; sustainable development; training (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A13 A14 P P0 P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 Z1 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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