Production of informal sector statistics in Africa: Lessons and perspectives for improvement ?

Based on experience gained in measuring the informal sector over the past decades both in Africa and globally, this paper seeks to highlight the major constraints and challenges, and to propose a number of avenues for improvement. Regarding supply, the paper also considers the technical difficulties encountered in conducting surveys (operationalization of concepts, sampling design, quality of data) and the institutional issues raised (incorporation into the national statistics systems). With respect to demand, it explores the use of statistics by development par tners (national authorities, donors) in the preparation and monitoring/evaluation of public policies and by the academic community in its research activities.