The African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the Commission), meeting at its 87th Ordinary Session, held from 24 April to 20 May 2026, in Banjul, The Gambia;
Recalling its mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights in Africa under Article 45 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter);
Considering Article 15 of the African Charter on the right to work and Article 13 of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (the Maputo Protocol), which require states to adopt legislative and other measures to promote the occupations and economic activities of women, particularly within the informal economy;
RecallingResolution ACHPR.Res.584 (LXXVIII) 2024, on the Development of Guidelines on the Protection of the Rights of Workers in the Informal Economy Sector in Africa, mandating the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa, in collaboration with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa and other stakeholders, to develop Guidelines on the Protection of the Rights of Workers in the Informal Economy Sector in Africa; together with Model Law(s) to regulate different occupations in the informal economy’, and to present it to the Commission for its consideration and adoption within two (2) years;
Considering that the deadline for completing the Study expired on 08 March 2026; and mindful of the need to provide the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Africa, with sufficient time to finalise the Draft Guidelines on the Protection of the Rights of Workers in the Informal Economy Sector in Africa;
The Commission:
- Decides to extend by one (1) year, the deadline set for the finalisation of the Development of Guidelines on the Protection of the Rights of Workers in the Informal Economy Sector in Africa, together with Model Law(s); and
- Calls on all relevant stakeholders to provide the necessary support to the development of the Guidelines.
Done in Banjul, The Gambia on 20 May 2026
