Informal Economy and Development

1. Understand the nature, structure, and functions of an informal economy.
2. Explain the articulation of informal and formal sectors in the development process.
3. Identify effective ideas to improve policies on the informal sector.
4. Analyze the impact of globalization on the informal economy.
5. Evaluate the problems and prospects of the informal economy in Nigeria.

13 weeks, about 26 hours in total. Yours will differ.

1. Week 1MODULE 1: THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF INFORMAL EONOMY

   • Unit 1: Historical development of the Concept of Informal Economy · 2 hours

     Read the introduction to understand the historical context of the informal economy.. Explain the European expansion and its impact on non-European territories.. Discuss the pivotal role of the informal sector in pre-industrial capitalist societies..

2. Week 2MODULE 1: THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF INFORMAL EONOMY

   • Unit 2: Definition and Scope of Informal Economy · 2 hours

     Develop a robust understanding of the informal economy.. Delineate the major activities within the informal economy.. Discuss the lack of a universal definition and the reasons for it..

3. Week 3MODULE 1: THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF INFORMAL EONOMY

   • Unit 3: Theories of Informal Economy · 2 hours

     Explain the main theories of the informal economy.. Evaluate the major strengths and weaknesses of each theory.. Discuss the Modernization, Neo-Marxist, Neo-Liberal, and Informalization Theories..

4. Week 4MODULE 1: THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF INFORMAL EONOMY

   • Unit 4: Characteristics of Informal Economy · 2 hours

     Itemize the main characteristics of the informal economy as an independent segment.. Compare and contrast the earliest and latest characterizations.. Discuss Hart's characterization and the GDRC's characterization..

5. Week 5MODULE TWO: INFORMAL ECONOMY AND THE NATIONAL ECONOMY.

   • Unit 1: Contributions of Informal Economy to National Economy · 2 hours

     Understand the contribution of the informal economy to economic growth.. Delineate the key sectors in the contribution to economic growth.. Discuss the informal economy's role in developing and developed countries..

6. Week 6MODULE TWO: INFORMAL ECONOMY AND THE NATIONAL ECONOMY.

   • Unit 2: The State and Informal Economy · 2 hours

     Explain the issues and problems in informal economy taxation and regulations.. Suggest measures to make the informal economy tax and regulations compliant.. Discuss the state's role in taxation and regulations..

7. Week 7MODULE TWO: INFORMAL ECONOMY AND THE NATIONAL ECONOMY.

   • Unit 3: Revenue Generating Capacity in Informal Economy · 2 hours

     Discover the revenue potentials in the informal economy.. Suggest the best measures to realize the potentials.. Discuss policies that could facilitate the transition from potential to actual revenue generation..

8. Week 8MODULE THREE: INFORMAL ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT

   • Unit 1: Dynamics of the Informal Economy · 2 hours

     Explain the factors behind the growth of the informal economy.. Discuss the views of Cling, Razafindrakoto, and Roubaud.. Analyze the dynamics of the informal economy..

9. Week 9MODULE THREE: INFORMAL ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT

   • Unit 2: Globalization and the informal Economy · 2 hours

     Explain how globalization has impacted the informal economy.. Explain how the informal economy has sustained globalization.. Discuss global outsourcing, subcontracting, and migration..

10. Week 10MODULE THREE: INFORMAL ECONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT

    • Unit 3: Advantages and Disadvantages of Informal Economy · 2 hours

      Explain the positive and negative sides of the informal economy in developing countries.. Decide whether the informal economy contributes to development as it is or needs transformation.. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the informal economy..

11. Week 11MODULE FOUR: THE INFORMAL ECONOMY IN NIGERIA

    • Unit 1: The Determinants and Structure of Informal Economy in Nigeria · 2 hours

      Explain the factors behind the growth of the informal economy in Nigeria.. Describe the structure of informal economic activities in Nigeria, including gender orientation.. Discuss the determinants of the informal economy in Nigeria..

12. Week 12MODULE FOUR: THE INFORMAL ECONOMY IN NIGERIA

    • Unit 2: Informal Economy in Nigeria's Development process · 2 hours

      Distinguish between economic growth and socio-economic development.. Explain whether the informal economy in Nigeria contributes to economic growth or development or both.. Discuss the informal economy's role in Nigeria's development process..

13. Week 13MODULE FOUR: THE INFORMAL ECONOMY IN NIGERIA

    • Unit 3: Problems and Prospects of the Informal Economy in Nigeria · 2 hours

      Acquaint yourself with the problems bedeviling the informal economy in Nigeria.. Explain the prospects of informal economic activities in Nigeria.. Discuss the problems and prospects of the informal economy in Nigeria..