Enhancing informal economy in Sub-Saharan African cities: a case study of Kinshasa

Abstract

Informal economy is currently creating more employment than ever in sub-Saharan African cities by absorbing a large number of city residents. From West, East, Central and Southern Africa, informal economy is contributing enormously to the GDP and economic growth and development. Paradoxically, while it is doing so, little is being done to examine its potential and to provide it with appropriate management strategies as tools to support this sector and increase its productivity within the government revenue base. It is within this context that efforts have to be developed by exploring alternative strategies that can contribute to the debate of enhancing informal economy to increase its productivity, particularly in the city of Kinshasa. This could allow this sector to participate productively and purposefully to economic growth and development as well as to improvement of living standards of sub-Saharan African cities’ residents.