WPS_No_297_Labor_Markets_and_Jobs_in_West_Afric...

Abstract

The labor market in West Africa poses major challenges, both in its operation, in its characteristics, and in the indicators generally used to analyze it. Almost all of its actors are informal and the majority of jobs available are self-employment, with a fairly high level of underemployment. Informal workers are often poorly paid and generally receive wages below the poverty line. In addition, they have no social security cover or pension plan, and are often exposed to dangerous tasks. Policy Responses to unemployment and underemployment include support for very small businesses, for example through targeted training for business start-up and consolidation, incubators and accelerators. These policies should also promote the non-skilled labor intensive sectors, such as light industry and processing of agricultural, horticultural and fishery products, through the establishment of suitable industrial parks.

This paper is the product of the Vice-Presidency for Economic Governance and Knowledge Management. It is part of a larger effort by the African Development Bank to promote knowledge and learning, share ideas, provide open access to its research, and make a contribution to development policy. The papers featured in the Working Paper Series (WPS) are those considered to have a bearing on the mission of AfDB, its strategic objectives of Inclusive and Green Growth, and its High-5 priority areas—to Power Africa, Feed Africa, Industrialize Africa, Integrate Africa and Improve Living Conditions of Africans. The authors may be contacted at [email protected].