Published on February 6, 2026 – Updated on February 6, 2026

Focus on research


Isaac Amedanou
Teacher, Université Clermont Auvergne – CNRS – IRD – CERDI ; 
Economist, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa


Kwamivi Mawuli Gomado
Research fellow, LERN-Université de Rouen Normandie & EDEN-Université Le Havre Normandie 
 

Unemployment remains one of the major economic challenges facing African countries, particularly among youth and low-skilled workers. In response, many governments have implemented ambitious structural reforms aimed at liberalizing key sectors of the economy. These reforms include the restructuring of network industries—such as electricity and telecommunications—as well as the relaxation of employment protection legislation. Such reforms are commonly presented as essential levers to stimulate investment, enhance productivity, and promote job creation. However, their actual effects on unemployment remain contested, especially in contexts characterized by high levels of informality and relatively fragile institutions.

This study contributes to this debate by examining the impact of reforms in network industries and employment protection legislation on unemployment in Africa. It addresses the following question: to what extent do these reforms effectively reduce unemployment, and through which economic mechanisms do they operate?

Read the blog article in French

Article reference

Gomado, K. M., & Amedanou, I. (2026). Unemployment impact of network sectors and employment protection legislation reforms: Evidence from selected African countries. World Development, 200, 107304.


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