By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, March 11, 2026: Labour ministers from across Africa have urged governments to adopt stronger policies to ensure the fast-growing platform economy delivers decent and sustainable jobs, particularly for the continent’s youth.
Speaking at a high-level symposium hosted by the African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) in Freetown, Sierra Leone’s Labour Minister, Hon. Mohamed Rahaman Swaray, warned that while digital platforms are creating new income opportunities, they also expose millions of workers to vulnerabilities due to weak protections.
“The platform economy is rapidly transforming the world of work,” Swaray said. “It creates opportunities but also raises serious questions about labour standards and worker protection.”
Delegates from Ghana, Eswatini, and Sierra Leone highlighted challenges such as insecure gig work, lack of social protections, and the need for stronger coordination across government sectors. Ghana’s Labour Minister Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo announced plans to train one million young people in digital and technical skills, while Eswatini’s Phila Wiseman Buthelezi stressed that job quality must be prioritized over numbers.
Employers’ Federation President Kobi Walker noted that Africa already has more than 36 million gig workers, a figure expected to rise sharply with expanding mobile technology and digital payments. He emphasized that clear regulatory frameworks could unlock the sector’s potential to absorb millions of young Africans into productive work.
The Freetown symposium brought together ministers, policymakers, employers, unions, and international partners to craft strategies ensuring that technological innovation supports inclusive growth and decent work. Sierra Leone’s hosting of the event positions the country as an active voice in shaping Africa’s response to the future of work.