Making a Living in African Cities: The Role of Home-based Enterprises in Accra and Pretoria

Abstract

As formal sector employment becomes an increasingly remote prospect for many Africans, the importance of informal income-generating activities which operate from the home are being recognized. This paper compares and contrasts home-based enterprises (HBEs) in low-income settlements in Accra and Pretoria. It analyses which types of enterprises operate, their contribution to household livelihoods, and the limits to growth that they face. It is shown how in both cities HBEs are widespread, provide an important place of work especially for women, and contribute significantly to household income. Despite these similarities, the HBEs are operating in differing circumstances with the fear of violence and property crime being a prominent aspect of South African HBEs whilst being negligible in Ghana.