Gig Economy Boom Calls for Digital & Financial Literacy Skills Training – UNICEF

A new study by UNICEF has revealed that the expanding gig economy in the country is no longer a side hustle; it’s fast becoming the backbone of youth employment in Ghana, especially in the Ashanti Region.

The report titled “Skills Supply and Demand Side Assessment: A Situation Analysis of the Ashanti Region” was conducted by Step Innovations Africa on behalf of UNICEF Ghana with funding from Generation Unlimited (GenU).

The aim of the study was to assess the supply and demand of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the Ashanti Region, identify skills gaps and mismatches, and provide evidence to better align training with labour market needs, thereby boosting youth employability and regional economic development.

A gig economy is a type of work system where people take on short-term jobs, tasks, or freelance work instead of holding one permanent, full-time job. In this type of economy, workers move from one “gig” (task or job) to another, often using digital platforms or apps to connect with clients and opportunities.

According to the report, a gig system is expanding in the Ashanti Region. From ride-hailing services like Uber and Bolt to food delivery apps, e-commerce platforms, and remote online jobs.

This indicates that digital work opportunities are expanding at a pace that traditional education is yet to catch up. While young people are eager to take up these opportunities, most lack the technical and financial know-how to run their side gigs as sustainable businesses.

Given this shift, UNICEF says there is an urgent demand for investment in digital business operations and financial literacy training. Without it, young workers may remain stuck on the margins of the digital marketplace, missing out on income stability and long-term growth.

“The expansion of e-commerce and remote work opportunities calls for new training in digital business operations and financial literacy,” portions of the report cited by The High Street Journal noted.

UNICEF further recommended that, “As the region becomes a hub for online services like Uber and Bolt, there is a growing demand for skilled workers in logistics, e-commerce management, and online business operations.”

It is believed that building digital and financial literacy into Ghana’s TVET and tertiary programs could unlock the full potential of the gig economy. Experts say training in budgeting, savings, taxation, online business tools, and customer management would equip young people to move from informal hustles into structured, profitable enterprises.

It is anticipated that for an economy battling high youth unemployment, the gig economy represents a double-edged sword, and if Ghana wants to ride the digital wave, it must prepare its youth with the necessary skills.

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