Abstract
Sub-Saharan Africa faces high youth unemployment, with women disproportionately excluded from labor market opportunities due to mobility and social constraints. At the same time, global freelancing platforms offer opportunities to earn wages that far exceed those available in local markets. Yet, informational and reputational frictions—such as limited knowledge of effective bidding strategies, weak initial profiles, and lack of job search persistence—prevent many skilled workers from successfully entering these markets.
This study evaluates whether targeted training, mentoring, and data-driven guidance can reduce these frictions and improve labor market outcomes for young African professionals. We will conduct a randomized controlled trial with workers who meet baseline screening criteria. The treatment group will receive individualized mentoring from experienced African freelancers.
Outcomes will be measured using both platform administrative data and surveys, covering job search intensity, contract acquisition, and earnings. The study will also assess heterogeneous impacts by gender, informing both the economics of digital labor markets and the design of scalable interventions to expand global job access.