Issues in African Informality - What is the Relevance for Regional or Continental Integration?

Issues in African Informality - What is the Relevance for Regional or Continental Integration?

Author: 
Nshimbi, Christopher Changwe
Place: 
Pretoria
Publisher: 
Africa Institute of South Africa (AI)
Date published: 
2018
Record type: 
Region: 
Journal Title: 
Africa Insight
Source: 
Africa Insight, Vol. 48, No. 1, 2018, pp. 41 - 61
Abstract: 

This paper illuminates the disputed and often tainted reality of informality in Africa, focusing on two key components of the informal economy - employment and production. Simultaneously, it highlights three key issues in informality that bear on regional integration by the way they relate to spatial borders. The paper draws on a thorough review of the literature and documentary evidence on informality, borders and regional integration. The evidence shows that, though difficult to assess, the informal economy is a permanent African reality that dates back to the Iron Age. It is a source of employment for many, sustains livelihoods and contributes to local, national and regional economies, as well as to regional economic integration from the bottom up. On their part, nation-state borders in Africa posture as regulators of movement, presenting severe restrictions; especially to the movement of undocumented labour migrants and informal traders. With supportive policies, however, cross-border traders could become useful partners of the state and the collective goal of African integration. They could help deepen integration by participating in measures designed to reduce non-tariff barriers to trade. Since grassroots actors suffer abuse and are ill-treated at borders and in host countries, and lack access to social protection, African borders should be transformed into functional bridges that link communities straddling proximate states. A desirable outcome would be to establish amorphous borderlands that would enhance economic, social and cultural integration.

Language: 

CITATION: Nshimbi, Christopher Changwe. Issues in African Informality - What is the Relevance for Regional or Continental Integration? . Pretoria : Africa Institute of South Africa (AI) , 2018. Africa Insight, Vol. 48, No. 1, 2018, pp. 41 - 61 - Available at: https://library.au.int/issues-african-informality-what-relevance-regional-or-continental-integration