Through Laws and Arguments that Prejudice Children’s Economic Ingenuity in Africa

Recent verses of the Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and that of the African Union Agenda 2063 emphasize the wellbeing of persons who are usually excluded from participating in development. These vulnerable persons include children. On the point of marginalization, this study considers children’s freedom of economic ingenuity and the arrays of caretaker activities that prohibit or postpone this liberty. This research is done through a qualitative analysis of primary and secondary sources of law, including cultures. Contrary to common arguments against child employment, this paper posits that “work†is a germane process for human development. Invariably, postponement of economic ingenuity in young persons in favour of formal education may justify dimensions, where unavailability or inadequacy of white collar jobs†disable millions of persons who have spent their childhood, (not less than 18 years) participating in full time schooling. This study argues that anti labour legislations should contain less restrictions on children’s economic freedom. Efforts should rather focus on creating safe work environment and fair wages for children, in manners that do not affect their other developmental rights negatively. Laws should also focus more on eliminating exploitative mentalities, policies and cultures from adults.