When CNN calls, it usually means something bigger is happening.
This week, MESH was featured on CNN to talk about how our work unlocks the potential of Africa’s informal economy.
MESH is built on the belief that the informal economy is not a problem to fix. It is a powerful engine to fuel.
But for that engine to run at full potential, a few things need to work.
Corporates need better ways to reach this market.
Young entrepreneurs need access to real opportunities.
Both sides need trust, visibility, and reliable data.
In the feature, Anuj explains how MESH helps make that possible.
He is joined by Luck Ochieng, Managing Director of Unilever East Africa, who speaks about the difficulty of connecting with informal entrepreneurs at scale.
Together, Anuj and Luck highlight how building digital profiles for young entrepreneurs creates a foundation of trust that both sides can rely on.
Young people can show who they are, what they do, and how they work. This turns informal activity into something visible and verifiable.
The world is catching up to the potential of the informal economy
We are seeing growing interest from corporates, funders, and partners. They understand that the next phase of growth in Africa will not come from the formal sector alone.
It will come from unlocking the potential of millions of young entrepreneurs who are already earning, trading, and hiring each other.
The feature on CNN reflects a broader shift.
The informal economy is no longer a side story.
It is the main story.
And we are building for it.
Looking to connect with the MESH World?
Unilever partnered with MESH to pilot an inclusive distribution model that:
• Connected informal micro-entrepreneurs into Unilever’s value chain, enabling them to sell Unilever goods in their own neighborhoods
• Created flexible, commission-based gigs
• Expanded Unilever’s reach into underserved areas
Would you like to connect with MESHERS at scale too? Contact our partnership team at partnerships@mesh.life
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