Africa is well-placed to leverage the gig economy for growth
There is a global narrative that Africa is being left behind by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). We disagree, and in a recently published paper titled “Africa’s Opportunity in the Future World of Work” we argue that since the future world economy is more likely to reflect the kind of work and skills dynamics that already exist in Africa, the continent is, in fact, well-positioned to benefit from the 133-million new roles the World Economic Forum predicts machines and algorithms will create by 2022.
The paper provides a framework for a broader discussion on the future world of work. Specifically, it presents six factors, already largely evident in Africa, that predispose the continent to participate productively in the 4IR and assist in unlocking opportunities. These include the global, versus the African, context; the types of work; the work environment; industries; people and skills; and sustainability. ..
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