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This publication is the second of two to explore the findings and insights from an online global consultation, held in July 2020, exploring young Africans’ use of digital technologies in different areas in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. More specifically, this paper discusses the topics of the second day of the consultation, when participants delved into employment in the gig economy, business and tech innovation, and financial inclusion.

Key findings

• The growing number and diversity of digital platforms in Africa are opening up new livelihood opportunities to the continent’s young workers.  (...)
• Gig-matching and job-matching platforms offer young people flexibility, low barriers to entry into the job market and an alternative to informal employment, though job quantity often prevails over job quality. (...)
• Governments could do more to build and sustain the ecosystem within which digital employment solutions can scale. (...)
• For young people to thrive in the digital economy and scale up their businesses, access to finance remains a key element to move to the next stage. (...)