African trade unions have evolved from an early focus on working conditions and workplace issues to addressing colonial racism and oppression and then joining forces with anti-colonial and national liberation struggles. They have pursued the democratization of their polities and are now actively (…)

Africa faces a mounting social and economic crisis, shaped by global shocks, weak job creation, and rising debt. By 2025, governments owe over $2.1 trillion, and in many cases debt service consumes more than 40% of revenues, leaving little for schools, health systems, or jobcreating (…)

Towards a New fFramework ofr Debt Sustainability and Development in Africa

African trade unions under the banner of the African Regional Organisation of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC-Africa) and Trades Union Congress (TUC) of Ghana, together with civil society movements, faith leaders, youth, and women’s organizations will converge in Accra, Ghana (…)

The Fourth United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) concluded in Seville with the adoption of the Compromiso de Sevilla. It is presented as a roadmap for financing sustainable development, and arrives at a time of great urgency for African countries. Across the (…)

Executive summary: As workplaces continue to evolve with technological advancements and economic shifts, understanding the multifaceted nature of safety, compliance, and the well-being of workers has become imperative. Unfortunately, many African countries continue to face significant challenges (…)

Background and Justification Informal Cross-Border Trade (ICBT) is integral to intra-African trade, accounting for approximately 30-40% of trade flows in various African regions, significantly sustaining livelihoods, especially among women and youth (Bouet et al., 2018; UNCTAD, 2019). Women (…)

1 Introduction Migration is a natural human phenomenon that has significantly contributed to human development, economic growth, and cultural exchange. It addresses labour shortages within markets and serves as a crucial economic survival strategy for many. Migration is an essential livelihood (…)

“The Union Lifted Me Up – Together, We Rise” is more than a campaign – it is a movement that brings women, young people, vulnerable workers in the informal economy and workers in the formal economy who lack union representation in both the public and private sectors into the trade union family. (…)

Forward The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a groundbreaking opportunity for Africa to redefine its trade dynamics, drive inclusive economic growth, and improve the livelihoods of millions. At the same time, it introduces a crucial challenge for labour unions to ensure (…)

Abstract The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), established in 2018 and operating since 2021, is a significant endeavour designed to merge 54 African states into a single market including over 1.3 billion individuals and a collective GDP surpassing USD 3.4 trillion. The AfCFTA seeks (…)

This policy brief examines systemic barriers faced by women and youth in Africa’s economic landscape, particularly within the informal economy and cross-border trade, and outlines strategies for their inclusion. It highlights the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Protocol on Women and (…)