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Nigerian Scoop Top Prize for Labour Market Research @ UN-ECA
A Nigerian economist has emerged at the top from a selection of 36 academic papers presented at the 12th African Economic Conference for proposing reforms, including the de-regulation of the labour markets and the tax administration reforms aimed at raising government revenue.
Dr. Adam Elhiraika, Director of the Microeconomic Policy Division at the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), announced Abidemi Adegboye, a doctorate student at the University of Benin, Nigeria, as the winner of the top paper prize, for his paper on “Economic regulation and employment elasticity of growth in Sub-Saharan Africa,” at the just-concluded African Economic Conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The paper was selected for its relevance to the theme of the conference, which focused on the governance reforms required to achieve structural transformation.
The conference, which took place from December 4-6, 2017, provided a forum for leading thinkers and economic practitioners to discuss the emerging issues in Africa with a view to promoting knowledge management and important drivers of policy dialogue and implementation.
Senegalese economics lecturer, Ameth Saloum Ndiaye, from the Department of Economics at the University of Cheikh Anta Diop, Senegal, was awarded the second-best paper prize, for his research on the impact of institutional tax reform and its contribution to the improved well-being in Senegal.
The paper was among those presented during the three-day conference, at the headquarters of the ECA in Addis Ababa, which was also attended by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, several African dignitaries, economists and advisors of senior state officials.
In his paper, Adegboye examined the impact of economic regulation on the labour markets in 37 African countries and concluded that structural changes and population changes were not adequate to generate economic growth and create employment in the economy.
There were only five countries from all African economies that had industry as the largest sector in their GDP; and none of the countries had industry as the largest employment sector.
The paper examined employment trends in several African countries. The researcher noted there were only eight countries that had industry as the largest sector in GDP. However, no country had industry as the largest sector in employment. In addition to the initial five countries, three countries – Angola, Congo and Djibouti – had joined the rank on countries with largest industry share in GDP.
For most of the countries (including Nigeria), agriculture was the largest sector in terms of both GDP and employment for the initial year, but the services sector took over as the largest sector both in terms of GDP share and employment in the final year.
The researcher also noted that though the labour force in the region is largely involved in some forms of activity, the jobs being performed do not guarantee their livelihood.
Adegboye also discovered that regulations and government involvement tend to play essential roles in facilitating employment during periods of economic growth. In pursuing employment enhancing growth, regulatory institutions in most countries could function in the areas of controlling excessive population growth, ensuring smooth factor reallocation and aiding balanced growth, he recommended.
In this direction, policies that regulate labour market and other economic activities are essential in aiding feasible employment outcomes given the structural bottlenecks in many African economies.
In his paper, Ndiaye said tax administration reforms have both positive and negative impacts on the collection of revenue depending on how the measurement is done, which proves that the scientific methods used to discover the weaknesses and strengths of both systems remain unreliable.
He said the reform measures depended on the new policies introduced by the tax authorities each year as well as the tax related reforms and those geared towards the tax collection institution.
The conference is jointly organized each year by the African Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme and UN Economic Commission for Africa. Next year’s edition will be hosted by UNDP. The venue and theme of the meeting will be announced at a later date.
Social impact and industry leaders have called on Global Conglomerates, African Businesses, Philanthropies and Foundations meeting in Davos to support the advancement of social progress for African women and Girls.
Speakers from the ‘Reimagining the Business Case for investing in Africa’ Goals House event (21st January 2025) World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland pictured together left to right: Professor Myriam Sidibe, Founder and Chief Mission Officer, Brands on a Mission; Sophie Hodder, Director and Pillar Lead, Girl Capital Africa at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF); The Honourable Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Trade, Investment, and Industry of Nigeria; Paul Polman, Business Leader, climate and equalities campaigner; Nicola Galombik, Executive Director of Yellowwoods and Payal Dalal, Executive VP of Global Programs at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth
Leaders who attended the two events organised by Brands on a Mission (BoaM), Children’s Investment Finance Foundation (CIFF) and Tiko – a non-profit leveraging technology to transform sexual and reproductive health – emphasised the social and economic advantages that can be won through investment in African women and girls.
BoaM Founder and Chief Mission Officer Professor Myriam Sidibe said, “as a woman and a lifelong advocate for sustainable business practices, I have witnessed the transformative power of investing in Africa’s greatest resource: its girls. They are not only the future of our continent but also the untapped potential that can drive unprecedented economic and social change.”
Investment in women and girls, who make up 50 percent of Africa’s population – makes good business sense with African women and girls driving up to 70 percent of consumer spend and acting as key decision-makers for four out of five products purchased in their households. Protecting the interests of women and girls also protects the interests of economic growth on the African continent.
According to the World Health Organisation, poor access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights services and products is to blame for approximately 73 million induced abortions that take place in Africa while over one million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are acquired every day. Almost one in three women, across their lifetime have been subjected to physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, or sexual violence by a non-partner and almost half of all abortions are unsafe.
Professor Sidibe said, “in a rapidly evolving global landscape, businesses are increasingly challenged to find meaningful ways to align profit with purpose. Investing in African girls offers a unique opportunity to bridge this gap. By empowering young women through education, skills development, and access to critical resources, we lay the foundation for vibrant markets, resilient communities, and innovative ecosystems.”
The organisers of the two events held at the Goals House and SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) tent called for a world in which private sector investment in evidence-based, impact-first initiatives in service of African girls and young women is the norm and not the exception.
The World Economic Forum in Davos brings together government, business, and civil society to address key global and regional challenges such as responding to geopolitical shocks, the climate crisis and stimulating growth to improve living standards.
Speakers at the first event held at the Goals House included moderation by Professor Myriam Sidibe, Founder and Chief Mission Officer, Brands on a Mission with speakers including Paul Polman, Business Leader, climate and equalities campaigner; The Honourable Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Trade, Investment, and Industry of Nigeria; Nicola Galombik, Executive Director of Yellowwoods; Payal Dalal, Executive VP of Global Programs at the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth; and Sophie Hodder, Director and Pillar Lead, Girl Capital Africa at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).
The second event at the SDG tent included moderation by Professor Myriam Sidibe, Founder and Chief Mission Officer, Brands on a Mission and speakers including Sophie Hodder, Pillar Lead and Director, Girl Capital Africa – Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, President/CEO – One Campaign, Hermann Betten, Chief Corporate Affairs & Communications Officer, Flora Food Group and Benoit Renard, Co-founder & CEO – Tiko.
The African Development Bank (AfDB), has disclosed plans to work with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), to boost the state’s transport system with the development of another rail line.
This was contained in a statement signed by, the Head, Corporate Communication, LAMATA, Mr. Kolawole Ojelabi in Lagos.
Ojelabi said that the AfDB Vice President, Private Sector Infrastructure and Industrialisation, Mr. Solomon Quaynor, gave the assurance during a visit to LAMATA.
He added that the bank was interested in partnering LAMATA to expand the capacity of the existing rail system.
“Quaynor was also in the company of the Non-Sovereign Operations and Private Sector Equity Specialist, Mr Mayowa Ayodele ahead of a visit of the technical team to assess the Purple line,” he said.
The Purple Line is a 60-kilometre railroad along the Redemption Camp in Ogun State, traversing Berger, Agege and Alimosho and terminate at Volkswagen to join the Blue Line.
“The visit follows a recent pitch for investment on 60-kilometre Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Purple Line at the African Development Bank forum in Morocco, where the Lagos delegation was led by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
“This is to further discuss collaboration on the project and other lines outlined in the Lagos Strategic Transport Master Plan. The delegation toured the LRMT Blue Line and expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Blue Line rail system,” he said.
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian government the 36 states over the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024.
SERAP is arguing that “the repressive use of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 by the government to criminalize legitimate expression violate the human rights of Nigerians, including activists, journalists, bloggers and social media users”.
In a statement on Sunday, Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director, SERAP, explained that the suit was filed to stop the Tinubu administration and Nigeria’s 36 governors from using the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 to criminalize legitimate expression and punish Nigerians, including social media users.
He said: “Rather than using the amended legislation to make cyberspace and its users safer, Nigerian authorities are routinely weaponizing it to curb Nigerians’ human rights and media freedom.
“The suit no: ECW/CCJ/APP/03/2025 was filed last week before the ECOWAS Court in Abuja.”
Recall that Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court had on March 25, 2022, declared Section 24 of Nigeria’s original Cybercrimes Act 2015 as “arbitrary, vague, and repressive.”
The court ordered Nigeria to repeal the provision, citing non-compliance with human rights obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Although the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 repealed Section 24, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) argues that the reworded provisions still infringe upon freedom of expression and information.
SERAP’s concerns center around the ambiguity of “causing a breakdown of law and order” in Section 24(1)(b), which they believe threatens peaceful and legitimate expression and leaves room for abuse.
SERAP highlighted several instances where the law was allegedly misused to target government critics, including activist Dele Farotimi, journalist Agba Jalingo, and social media user Chioma Okoli.
The organization emphasized that the amended legislation has a chilling effect on human rights and media freedom.
SERAP stressed that the amended Act contravenes international human rights law, which requires restrictions on freedom of expression to serve a legitimate purpose and be strictly proportionate.
The organization seeks a declaration that Section 24 of the Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act 2024 is unlawful and an order directing the government to repeal or amend the legislation in compliance with international standards.
However, a hearing date has not been set for the suit.
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