TED: The hidden opportunities of the informal economy | Niti Bhan

The video discusses the informal economy, highlighting its negative perception and significant impact on economic growth. It presents findings from a 20-year literature review on informal trade in East Africa, emphasizing the need to distinguish between illicit and legal unrecorded activities. The story of Teresia, a trader in Malaba, challenges stereotypes about informal traders, revealing her as a skilled entrepreneur. The video concludes by addressing the challenges faced by informal traders, such as lack of recognition and access to financial services, and suggests recognizing their skills to integrate them into the formal economy.

What are the significant consequences of the negative perception of the informal sector?

How does the informal sector contribute to job creation compared to the formal economy?

What was the surprising finding about Teresia's business practices?

In what ways does the lack of recognition affect informal traders like Teresia?

What role do micro-businesses play in the economic ecosystem according to the text?

What are the characteristics of the 'invisible' businesswomen mentioned in the text?

How can recognizing the skills and occupations of informal traders transform the economy?