The event benefited from the active participation of key government, public, and private sector institutions committed to entrepreneurship development, informal economy research, and youth employment promotion.
ISSER has launched a major research initiative titled “Youth in Indigenous Enterprises in the Informal Sector,” a cross-country comparative study examining indigenous informal enterprises through three core lenses: youth, indigenous business models, and institutions. The project is a key component of the Mastercard Foundation’s Youth Futures programme, which seeks to promote dignified and fulfilling work for Africa’s youth.
“Let us invest not only in projects, but in people with the full confidence that their ingenuity will multiply our efforts in ways we can only begin to imagine,” said Ms. Margaret Ansei, CEO of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, in her keynote address. She called for deeper investment in young people and context-responsive partnerships, commending ISSER and the Mastercard Foundation for prioritising youth agency in the informal economy.
The study spans seven countries (Ghana, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania) and is led by ISSER in partnership with four key institutions. These are the Policy Studies Institute (PSI) in Ethiopia, the Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), ISRA-BAME in Senegal, and the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED), which is coordinating activities in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
“We must look beyond the conventional and focus attention on the informal sector—especially the indigenous enterprises that sustain many communities. These are not just economic ventures; they are sources of identity, resilience, and innovation,” said Prof. Peter Quartey, Director of ISSER and Principal Investigator of the project, as he delivered the welcome address and underscored the importance of redefining Africa’s informal economy.
A major highlight of the launch event was a moderated panel discussion featuring five young entrepreneurs from the agriculture, textiles, cosmetics, and crafts sectors. They shared compelling firsthand accounts of their experiences navigating and growing indigenous enterprises within the informal economy. Their stories brought the project’s objectives to life, underscoring the vital role of youth-led innovation in driving inclusive economic transformation.
This was followed by a second panel made up of experts from the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), NETRIGHT, Africa Skills Hub, and academia—including a member of the ISSER research team—who offered reflections and initial responses to the issues raised. Both sessions were moderated by Dr. Nana Amma Asante-Poku, Research Fellow at ISSER and a member of the project team.
The day also included an interactive stakeholder engagement session, where representatives contributed perspectives on research gaps and priorities. The ISSER team gathered valuable input that will guide the study toward producing impactful and relevant findings.
About the project
The “Youth in Indigenous Enterprises in the Informal Sector” project seeks to explore how youth engage with indigenous enterprises in the informal economies of sub-Saharan Africa, investigate the gender dynamics that shape participation and innovation, and examine the integration of technology into local value chains.
With a strong emphasis on inclusivity, the research prioritises the involvement of young women, displaced youth, and persons with disabilities not only as subjects but as co-researchers. A Youth Advisory Group, comprising youth leaders, indigenous entrepreneurs, and business mentors, will provide strategic guidance throughout the study.
Expected outcomes from the project include a comprehensive report offering policy recommendations, a training toolkit to address youth skills gaps, a baseline and case studies to inform future interventions, and stakeholder engagement forums to disseminate findings and co-create practical solutions. The project also aims to contribute to broader efforts to shape inclusive, evidence-based policy and programme design.
The event was held on 13 May 2025 at ISSER, bringing together a diverse group of participants from government institutions, academia, civil society, development organisations, the private sector, and youth-led businesses—reflecting the broad interest and relevance of the research.
To learn more about the project, please contact Ms. Adadzewa Otoo (Project Director) at adzeotoo@ug.edu.gh or Dr. Nana Amma Asante-Poku at naasante-poku@ug.edu.gh
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