5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

The nature of work in Africa has changed significantly in recent years. Globalization, digitization, and neoliberal policies promoting the private sector and social and solidarity economy initiatives have transformed the African work landscape. Public policies now encourage self-employment and entrepreneurship, but the results are still uneven. Additionally, the rise of digital work and the opening of markets to offshore zones have led several African nations to offer incentives to foreign businesses. However, these measures do not always have a favourable impact, and there is often a conflict between personal and public morality regarding work. Therebefore, presenters in this session are expected to focus on the complex interplay of challenges and opportunities shaping Africa’s world of work and to highlight the need for adaptive strategies to ensure a prosperous and equitable future of work across the continent. The discussion will explore the prevailing challenges in the African work context, such as technological disparities, youth unemployment, social protection, informal labour markets, skills mismatch, and inadequate infrastructure. These issues constitute the complexities and barriers faced by the African workforce, affecting employment patterns, economic growth, and social development. The discussion will then examine emerging trends and opportunities promising for Africa’s work future, including the rise of entrepreneurship, blue and green jobs, technological innovation, demographic dividend, sustainable development initiatives, and potential for global partnerships and investment.