informal economy

Sudan's Ministry of Finance has launched efforts to regulate the informal sector and transition it into the formal economy to improve economic management and data quality. The initiative aims to broaden the base of formal economic activity.

The article discusses the misplacement of the regulation vs. deregulation debate in Pakistan, highlighting overregulation in the formal sector and weak enforcement in the informal sector as key issues. It emphasizes the need for evidence-based regulation to ensure fair competition and consumer protection, particularly in the energy sector where reforms have failed due to conflicts between ministries and regulators, and appointments based on loyalty over expertise.

DR Congo's Ebola outbreak in eastern regions, linked to informal mining and porous borders, highlights challenges from weak governance and ongoing conflict with M23 rebels. The Bundibugyo strain, lacking a vaccine, has caused 1,000 suspected cases and over 200 deaths, while efforts to formalize mining and redirect revenues to healthcare are proposed as potential solutions.