African governments implement protections for local small-scale commerce

The informal economy remains a dominant force in sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for approximately 86.3% of employment in 2024 according to the International Labour Organization. As formal job opportunities remain scarce, small-scale retail, street vending, and local services have become critical survival mechanisms for millions, though they often exist outside state regulation.

This economic reality is increasingly becoming a political flashpoint. In several African capitals, governments are responding to domestic pressure by implementing policies to reserve certain small-scale activities for citizens. For example, in Kenya, President William Ruto has called for small-scale activities like street vending and retail to be prioritized for Kenyans, granting foreign nationals 90 days to regularize their work permits and business licenses.

Other nations, including Ghana, Gambia, Burkina Faso, and Gabon, are also navigating the tension between maintaining economic openness and protecting local employment opportunities. The rise of the informal sector—comprising mechanics, street vendors, and motorcycle taxi drivers—highlights the fragility of regional economies and the difficulty of transitioning workers into formal, taxed, and regulated employment.