African Governments and employers met on 07-08 May 2026 to host an African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) High-Level Bilateral on the Future of Work in Africa. The meeting was held under the theme “A Pragmatic Approach to the Platform Economy”. This meeting brought together government ministers and officials, Organised Business and platform economy representatives, and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) from across Africa to discuss the platform economy, decent work standards, and preparations for the 114th International Labour Conference (ILC). The session included site visits, presentations from major platforms and stakeholders, and open discussion among delegates.
ARLAC chairperson, Minister Nomakhosazana Meth, highlighted that the platform economy is no longer an emerging trend but a lived reality for over 36 million workers across Africa, a figure expected to grow as digital connectivity expands. Examples cited included ride-hailing in Nairobi, e-commerce in Lagos, delivery services in Accra, and online freelancing in Cairo. While the platform economy brings promise for income generation, entrepreneurship, and labour market access, particularly for youth and women, it also poses significant challenges to key labour market protections.
The minister drew attention to the upcoming 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, where a binding convention on decent work in the platform economy is expected to be adopted. The minister stressed that Africa must not merely react to global standards but must actively help shape them. A balanced approach was emphasised, avoiding both unfettered flexibility, which leaves workers without safety nets, and rigid overregulation, which stifles innovation and job creation.
The meeting posed several critical questions for the gathering to address, including how to absorb the 10 to 12 million young Africans entering the labour market each year, what regulatory models can preserve flexibility while extending social protection, and how to ensure the platform economy does not become a race to the bottom. The goal was described as forging a common African position.
The ILO provided an update on the standard-setting process for decent work in the platform economy. The agreed instrument form is a convention supplemented by a recommendation, with definitions of digital labour platforms, digital platform workers, and the scope of standards agreed. Key changes made between discussions include a shift to a more principles-based convention, simplified language, reduced length, and greater flexibility for member states. On remuneration, the convention distinguishes between those in an employment relationship and those who are not, with specific provisions applying to independent workers while leaving member states room to tailor their application within their national contexts. The theme of National Sovereignty took center stage with employers noting that any global standard must be subsidiarity-based. Implementation should respect each African nation’s unique economic stage, judicial system, and existing labour market frameworks. The meeting expressed confidence that constituents would find a way forward, noting constructive informal consultations held the prior week.
The platform economy is diverse and broader than ride-hailing and includes gigs, jobs, and micro-enterprises, making regulation complex. Africa’s unique positioning needs us to look beyond just technology. Unlike in other parts of the world, African platforms often must provide in-person training, asset financing, and product listing support because labour markets are not fully functioning. The meeting warned that regulations deeming training as evidence of employment would undermine a key value-add of African platforms – Job creation, not just mediation. “Platforms can genuinely create new demand for labour”. Africa is also unique in that some platforms are small, doing training, quality control, and asset financing rather than simply connecting supply and demand.
The BUSA CEO, Mr Khulekani Mathe, highlighted the call from the African business community to ministers to resist what was termed “aspirational regulation” and instead “regulate for the labour market that actually exists, not the one that is wished for”. It was clear from the meeting that while we aim not to rush African innovation by applying standards designed for more developed labour markets, we still need to prioritise national sovereignty and flexibility, and the convention must be principle-based. African nations are at different stages of development, and a global standard must take this into account. While worker classification remains a contentious issue, classification must be determined by the facts of the working relationship, guided by existing ILO standards. Social protection and occupational safety and health, with a shared responsibility model, were identified as non-negotiable elements. Employers advocate for access to social security that is sustainable and status-appropriate, with portability as a key recommendation. This new era of the labour market will demand an agility that has never been seen before, and Africa stands ready to welcome it.
