On the Historical Foundation of Women’s Self-Employment in Africa

This paper uses cliometrics to explain the relationship between the transatlantic slave trade and women?s self-employment in Africa. More specifically, it studies the effect of the number of slaves exported during the transatlantic slave trade on the average rate of female self-employment from 1991 to 2019 using a cross-sectional model covering 51 countries. The results support the view that historical events have a hysteresis effect on the current characteristics of developing countries. We find that slavery is a determinant of women?s self-employment in Africa and identify culture as a transmission channel. The relatively high sex ratio in Africa during the slave trade contributed to women?s full participation in civil and social life, leading to a spirit of competence and resourcefulness that has been inculcated in African culture and norms and has been perpetuated over time, explaining their high rate of self-employment. The paper emphasizes the need to consider cultural and traditional specificities in economic policies aimed at addressing women?s self-employment in Africa, which is primarily characterized by informal activities.