Significance
The number of digital gig workers increased, mainly in relatively low-paid driving jobs involving home deliveries and transportation. There has been a significantly smaller expansion in jobs involving skilled work that is likely to generate higher wages and greater job satisfaction. Consequently, salaries and working conditions remain inadequate.
Impacts
Gig work is unlikely to drive social transformation, not least due to gender-based biases in online employment opportunities.
Cross-border digital labour platforms could help promote regional economic integration.
Africa’s gig economy will not be a major creator of high-quality, skills-based jobs for the foreseeable future.