‘There is No Future in it’: Pandemic and ride hailing hustle in Africa

Abstract

This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ride-hailing drivers in Africa. It argues that though ride-hailing offers paid-work to some African workers, the commodified and informalised nature of this work results in poor job quality. The effects of which are greatly amplified during the pandemic. Drawing on a mixed methods approach: in-depth interviews with ride-hailing drivers in Nairobi and digital ethnography, it also provides a narrative of 'hustle' to outline strategies of resilience, reworking, and resistance among informal workers. It concludes by highlighting the need for adequate regulatory frameworks and on-the-ground solidarity networks to ensure decent working conditions and to push back against precarity in the gig economy.

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.1111/ilr.12364

Repository URI

https://www.research.ed.ac.uk/en/publications/5b74f6bd-7232-4daf-a238-fb643be832f6