A general view of street vendors at the Adjame main market in Abidjan July 20, 2026. Estimated at more than 60% in the early 1970s, the number of Africans working in the informal sector has continued to grow in recent years and now stands at nearly 83%, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). More than 90% of the working population is concerned in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali or Nigeria, while the figure reaches 80% in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ghana. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP via Getty Images)

Yacouba Sylla, chief mechanic, tightens bolts on an engine in a garage in Abobo, suburb of Abidjan July 21, 2026. Estimated at more than 60% in the early 1970s, the number of Africans working in the informal sector has continued to grow in recent years and now stands at nearly 83%, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). More than 90% of the working population is concerned in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali or Nigeria, while the figure reaches 80% in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ghana. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP via Getty Images)

Tailors walk along a street carrying their sewing machines on their shoulders in Abidjan on August 3, 2026. Estimated at more than 60% in the early 1970s, the number of Africans working in the informal sector has continued to grow in recent years and now stands at nearly 83%, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). More than 90% of the working population is concerned in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali or Nigeria, while the figure reaches 80% in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ghana. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP via Getty Images)

A street vendor waits for customers in Adjame in Abidjan July 20, 2026. Estimated at more than 60% in the early 1970s, the number of Africans working in the informal sector has continued to grow in recent years and now stands at nearly 83%, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). More than 90% of the working population is concerned in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali or Nigeria, while the figure reaches 80% in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ghana. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP via Getty Images)

A general view of street vendors at the Adjame main market in Abidjan July 20, 2026. Estimated at more than 60% in the early 1970s, the number of Africans working in the informal sector has continued to grow in recent years and now stands at nearly 83%, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). More than 90% of the working population is concerned in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali or Nigeria, while the figure reaches 80% in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ghana. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP via Getty Images)

Informal mechanics work on a cars in a workshop in Abobo, suburb of Abidjan July 21, 2026. Estimated at more than 60% in the early 1970s, the number of Africans working in the informal sector has continued to grow in recent years and now stands at nearly 83%, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). More than 90% of the working population is concerned in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali or Nigeria, while the figure reaches 80% in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ghana. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP via Getty Images)

(FILES) A vendor pulls a cart in downtown Dakar, on September 2, 2026. Estimated at more than 60% in the early 1970s, the number of Africans working in the informal sector has continued to grow in recent years and now stands at nearly 83%, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). More than 90% of the working population is concerned in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali or Nigeria, while the figure reaches 80% in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ghana. (Photo by PATRICK MEINHARDT / AFP via Getty Images)

A general view of informal shops next to a residential bulding in Adjame in Abidjan July 20, 2026. Estimated at more than 60% in the early 1970s, the number of Africans working in the informal sector has continued to grow in recent years and now stands at nearly 83%, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). More than 90% of the working population is concerned in Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Mali or Nigeria, while the figure reaches 80% in the Democratic Republic of Congo or Ghana. (Photo by Issouf SANOGO / AFP via Getty Images)