Marketplace Tech Can digital apps help solve Africa’s unemployment crisis?
Nov 27, 2025
Sub-Saharan Africa faces a daunting youth unemployment crisis, with over 20% classified as NEET. Digital platforms are transforming the gig economy, offering new self-employment opportunities. Notably, Tendo trains sellers to use social media for profit, while Roazi's Mappers gather consumer data for insights. However, experiences reveal low pay and variability in gig work. Experts highlight that while digital gigs provide some income, structural changes in infrastructure and policy are crucial for lasting employment solutions.
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Youth Unemployment And Gig Growth
- Sub-Saharan Africa faces a major youth unemployment problem with over one in five young people NEET.
- Digital platforms have grown rapidly and are creating new informal income opportunities through gig work.
Tendo Lets Sellers Use Social Media
- Felix Manford describes Tendo, a resale platform in Ghana and Nigeria that lets individuals sell products via social media.
- Tendo delivers orders and sends profit margins to sellers while training them to sell from their phones.
Roazi Pays Local Mappers For Data
- Roazi recruits local 'Mappers' who record household purchases and visit shops to collect product data.
- RUASI converts that data into consumer trends and pays gig workers for the information they gather.