At the ECAS2025 in Prague: Digitalization and the future of decent work in Africa

The Brandt School and PolDigWork researchers Evans Awuni and Gift Mwonzora co-organised a two-part panel at the European Conference on African Studies (ECAS 2025) on one of the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the continent: how digitalisation is reshaping the prospects for decent work in Africa.

Together with co-organisers Edwin Ameso, Azza Ahmed, and Samwel Ntapanta, they curated a rich panel of two sessions featuring research that spans gig work, platform economies, AI, and blockchain innovation across the continent.

This panel builds on ongoing work and conversations, particularly inspired by the PolDigWork project at the Willy Brandt School of Public Policy, the "off-the-grid" project from Leipzig University, Research Center Global Dynamics and a POINTSUD workshop held in Accra last year, (in 2024) on The Digital Imperative and the Future of Decent Work in Africa. 

• PART 1 discussed labour Conditions, Gig Work, and Digital Markets featuring presentations from Jackson Elias Nzira, Abigail Kemper, and Sophie Naue
• PART 2 turned attention toward AI, blockchain, and digital aspirations, spotlighting how African actors are engaging these frontiers, featuring presentations from Azza Mustafa and Marian Burchardt

A big thanks to all presenters, chair, and participants for the interesting presentations and discussions. Looking forward to the next steps these conversations will inspire!