Business + Economy – Articles, Analysis, Comment – The Conversation

Loopholes in the post-apartheid labour relations framework has created an opening for the re-creation of a cheap labour regime. REUTERS/Rogan Ward

Bitter battle over labour brokers threatens South Africa’s fragile social order

David Dickinson, University of the Witwatersrand

Failed by the institutions meant to protect them from exploitation, South African Post Offices workers gave up on the legal system, resorting to illegal means.

Nigerian youth celebrate presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari’s victory. Youth unemployment will continue to threaten the continent’s growth. Reuters/Goran Tomasevic

Renaissance or mirage: can Africa sustain its growth?

Stephen Onyeiwu, Allegheny College

How realistic are expectations about Africa’s economic prospects? There are several reasons why we should be both optimistic and cautious about the continent’s future economic performance.

Done right, urbanisation can boost living standards in Africa

Patricia Jones, University of Oxford

African cities are growing fast - and there are many reasons to be excited about this rapid urban development.

Children’s labour entails both benefits and harm that should be assessed at the local level. Reuters/Finbarr O'Reilly

Global standards miss the nuance in local child labour

Alula Pankhurst, University of Oxford

A more enlightened approach to child labour would listen to what children say about work, balance work and school, and enhance the flexibility and quality of schooling to cater for working children.

Despite increases in education attainment, the educated youth in sub-Saharan Africa find that there are no jobs suited to their levels of education. Reuters/Afolabi Sotunde

When better education doesn’t lead to a better job

Francis Teal, University of Oxford

School enrolment rates in sub-Saharan Africa have increased markedly in recent years, but it is failing its newly educated young by not creating jobs commensurate with their education.

Consumption patterns among blacks are complicated by considerations including race, class position and personal relationships. Reuters/Antony Kaminju

Shaky ground: the challenge of being black and middle class

Grace Khunou, University of Johannesburg

The black middle class occupies a complex and sometimes precarious position in society, one that requires constant renegotiation.

Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala gave voice to sub-Saharan Africa on global monetary institutions. Reuters/Afolabi Sotunde

If Nigeria’s finance minister is dumped, Africa will lose an important voice

Kalu Ojah, University of the Witwatersrand

The expected departure of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as Nigeria’s finance minister will leave Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa without a significant voice in the IMF and World Bank.

Most of the migrants desperately crossing the Mediterranean from Africa are refugees. EPA/STR

Without immigrants, none of us would be here

Ian Goldin, University of Oxford

The migration of early Africans into the Middle East, then across the Mediterranean into Europe and Asia – and eventually into the Americas and Australia and the Pacific Islands – is the origin of today’s humanity.