Action plan for improving and monitoring informal sector statistics in Africa for the 2010-2012 period1

Abstract

The concept of informal sector emerged in the 1980s. Since then, many initiatives have been undertaken, particularly by the International Labour Organization (OIT). Measuring the informal economy is becoming increasingly important in the activities of statisticians and economists of developing countries, and more particularly in Africa. During the first meeting of the African Statistical Commission (StatCom‐Africa) from 21 - 23 January 2008 in Addis‐Ababa (Ethiopia), a working group on the informal sector in Africa was set up to organize and monitor activities on the informal sector in Africa. The activities of this working group were entrusted to AFRISTAT by the meeting. Following the recommendations of StatCom‐Africa, the present action plan has been prepared to define the major guidelines of action by the group and activities that could be carried out by interested countries and African organizations over the next three years. The plan incorporates the key recommendations of the International Seminar on the Informal sector in Africa (ISISA) organized by AFRISTAT in October 2008 and the positive results of the Dar es‐Salam seminar, as well as other recent relevant reflection.