Niti Bhan
Informal Economy Expert | Revealing Hidden Economic Opportunities
About
Niti Bhan explores the untapped potential within informal economic systems that often go unnoticed by traditional business and policy frameworks. Her work focuses on identifying and understanding the economic opportunities that exist within informal markets and communities.
Speaking at TED 2017, Bhan presented insights on how informal economies - which operate outside formal regulatory structures - contain significant value and innovation potential. Her research examines how these economic systems function, the opportunities they present, and how they can be better understood and integrated into broader economic thinking.
Rather than viewing informal economies as problems to be solved, her perspective highlights them as sources of entrepreneurial activity and economic resilience that deserve recognition and strategic consideration.
Talks1
The hidden opportunities of the informal economy
Niti Bhan studies business strategy for Africa's informal markets: the small shops and stands, skilled craftspeople and laborers who are the invisible engine that keeps the continent's economy running. It's tempting to think of these workers as tax-dodgers, even criminals -- but Bhan makes the case that this booming segment of the economy is legitimate and worthy of investment. "These are the fertile seeds of businesses and enterprises," Bhan says. "Can we start by recognizing these skills and occupations?"
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