The University Thomas Sankara, in partnership with the University Aube Nouvelle and the Center for Studies and Research on Economic Integration in Africa (CERIEA), is hosting a three-day international colloquium in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from October 29 to 31, 2026. The event aims to pay tribute to Professor Idrissa M. OUEDRAOGO, exploring the theme "Informal sector and development in Africa: theoretical issues and action perspectives." This major scientific event brings together policymakers, development practitioners, and researchers to discuss the informal sector's role in Africa's development.
Over the past four decades, Africa has experienced notable economic growth, with an average annual real GDP growth of 3.8%. However, this growth has not translated into significant structural transformation, limiting job creation. The informal sector has become a structural reality in African economies, accounting for 25% to 65% of GDP in sub-Saharan Africa and providing 83.1% of total employment between 2015 and 2024. The colloquium seeks to create a platform for dialogue on the informal sector's role in Africa's development process.
The event will feature several key activities, including an opening ceremony, a tribute to Professor OUEDRAOGO, and a inaugural conference by Professor Aly Mbaye, moderated by Professor Nasser Ary-Tanimoune. A high-level panel discussion will bring together representatives from public institutions, the banking sector, academia, professional organizations, and informal economy actors. The panel will be moderated by Professor Adama Diaw.
On October 30, 2026, a plenary communication will be presented by Professor Nasser Ary-Tanimoune on "Formalization of the informal: example of the banking system in the UEMOA. And after?" The discussions will then proceed in parallel sessions around four main axes: the informal sector's emergence and development, its role as a lever or brake on development, its relationship with poverty, and its interaction with public policies.
The four axes of reflection will guide the presentations, covering topics such as the informal sector's logic of emergence and development, its impact on investment, financing, and competitiveness, its relationship with poverty and vulnerability, and the effectiveness of formalization policies. The event aims to provide a platform for debating established knowledge and proposing action-oriented solutions for Africa's economic and social transformations.
The colloquium's program is available from the organizing committee, and the event will conclude with a general report and closing ceremony on October 31, 2026. By honoring Professor Idrissa M. OUEDRAOGO, the colloquium seeks to extend and debate his work on the informal sector, economic governance, and development policies in Africa.
Key points of the event include its focus on the informal sector's role in African development, the participation of high-level speakers and panelists, and the presentation of research papers around four main axes of reflection.
Key points
- The colloquium will take place at the University Thomas Sankara and University Aube Nouvelle in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
- The event aims to create a platform for dialogue on the informal sector's role in Africa's development process.
- The colloquium will feature a high-level panel discussion and parallel sessions on various topics related to the informal sector.
