Rethinking Africa’s Informal Economy: A Pathway to Ending Poverty

Global Business insights · May 30, 2026 · 14m

Could Africa’s informal economy be an overlooked key to reducing poverty across the continent? In this episode, we examine why Africa needs a new approach to a sector that employs over 80% of its workforce. Pierre Nguimkeu, Director of the Africa Growth Initiative and Senior Fellow in Global Economy and Development at Brookings, argues that compliance is often demanded from the informal sector before value is delivered.

We also explore how Nigeria can follow the path taken by China and other countries to reduce poverty, with more than 100 million Nigerians still living in poverty.

Former…