The landscape of work is undergoing global transformation, driven by rapidly advancing technology that promises increased productivity, efficiency and innovation. However, these advancements also bring pressing concerns regarding job automation and socio-economic disparities. In West and Central Africa, there is limited understanding of the effects of digital transformation on employment dynamics, further compounded by the impact of climate change on productivity. This calls for novel approaches in business models and labour market strategies to navigate the evolving landscape.
The Future of Work Research Initiative, funded by the International Research Development Center (IDRC) and implemented by a hub managed by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) in collaboration with the Bureau d’analyses macro-économiques of the Institut sénégalais de recherches agricoles (ISRA-BAME) and other partners, seeks to address the knowledge and research gaps in West and Central Africa regarding technological adoption and digitalization. The initiative aims to understand the future of work challenges in the region.
The hub’s primary responsibilities include generating high-quality research, promoting evidence-based policymaking, and strengthening regional capacity with a focus on social protection to improve the socio-economic status of marginalised groups. Additionally, the initiative aims to explore avenues for climate change mitigation in West and Central Africa.
It forms part of the FutureWORKS Collective, a five-year interdisciplinary Southern-led research initiative devoted to the future of work in the Global South.
Aim of the project
The project aims to deepen and extend understanding of the future of work challenges in West and Central Africa. The key objectives include the following:
- Provide information about the skills, laws, and institutions of the labour market necessary to support dependable and high-quality work, and the investments in skills development needed across the continent to facilitate a balanced transition.
- Explore how digital technologies, AI, and automation, can be used to improve working conditions in agriculture and other sectors of the economy.
- Uncover pathways through which social protection initiatives in countries across West and Central Africa can contribute to the adaptation and enhancement of the socio-economic status of marginalized and vulnerable groups.
