The future of work in Africa: lessons from Ghana’s digital transformation

5 min read

Interestingly, the survey data suggest that the gender gap in digital access may be narrowing in Ghana, with women’s internet use now comparable to or even slightly exceeding that of men in some activities, as shown in the graph. However, age and income inequality remain significant factors; younger individuals tend to engage more broadly with digital platforms, while older demographics show more limited usage. Higher-income individuals are generally more likely to be able to afford digital devices and consistent internet access, enabling their broader engagement with online activities. In contrast, lower-income individuals are often excluded from many economic opportunities brought about by digitalisation. These divides carry serious implications for the future of work; without targeted efforts to improve digital skills and access across all demographics, socioeconomic inequalities are likely to deepen.

Precarity and regulatory challenges

In addition to the digital divide, another issue that emerges from Ghana’s digital transformation is precarity, particularly in the gig economy or informal digital work. Digitalisation has created new job opportunities, such as ride-hailing, delivery services and freelance digital work, but these roles often come without formal contracts, job security or social protections. For example, ride-hailing drivers on platforms such as Uber and Bolt operate under flexible conditions, yet they lack stable income guarantees and benefits such as health insurance or pensions. This employment precarity reflects a broader challenge across many African countries, where labour markets are adjusting to the rapid rise of the gig economy. Without security, gig workers are vulnerable to exploitation, as multinational platforms set the terms, often imposing high commissions, cutting wages or limiting workers’ rights without oversight. Thus, while these platforms provide income streams, they also create conditions ripe for exploitation, keeping workers locked in precarious positions.

The connection between precarity and regulation becomes more visible as the gig economy grows. The absence of protective labour regulations allows platforms to exploit gig workers, making their precarious status more pronounced. In Ghana and much of Africa, regulatory frameworks have not kept pace with this digital economy shift, leaving gig workers in a legal grey area. Without strong labour protections, these workers fall outside national labour laws, with no access to social benefits. This regulatory gap not only leaves workers exposed, but also enables the phenomenon of data colonisation, where multinational tech companies profit from local users and workers without reinvesting in local economies. African workers on global platforms generate valuable data that are commodified by large corporations, reaping profits for companies outside Africa, while the continent itself sees little return in terms of infrastructure investment or digital sovereignty. Thus, weak regulations both perpetuate precarity and allow for further exploitation, creating a cycle that leaves gig workers with little recourse. Arguably, stronger regulatory frameworks that protect digital workers and address the power imbalance with tech platforms are essential to breaking this cycle and ensuring fairer, more equitable outcomes.

More questions than answers

As Ghana and much of Africa undergo rapid digital transformation, the path ahead is filled with both opportunities and significant uncertainties. Digital technologies are reshaping how people work, live and interact, but they are also raising key questions. Will these new digital jobs provide workers with security and protections, or will they trap them in cycles of precarious employment? How can we ensure that the benefits of digitalisation reach not only the well-connected urban elites, but also marginalised populations, including rural communities, women and those with less education? In the race to build thriving digital economies, policymakers face the challenge of crafting labour laws that address the complexities of gig work, remote freelancing and platform-based economies. What innovative regulatory models can ensure that workers in these sectors are afforded fair remuneration and protections, comparable to more traditional forms of employment, without losing the flexibility that makes these jobs attractive? As African workers and users generate valuable data that drive the profits of global tech giants, how can African countries assert greater control over their own digital futures? The answers to these questions are not immediately clear, but they are key to shaping policies on the future of work in Africa. As digital technologies transform economies, the real test will be whether they can be harnessed to create a future of work that is inclusive, equitable and sustainable for all.