The Times
Imagine waking up knowing that, regardless of whether you have a job, your children will eat, you can afford transport to seek employment and an unexpected illness will not plunge your household into debt. Imagine buying groceries without having to choose between electricity and food. For millions of Africans, this would be a beautiful reality. Instead, life is a daily calculation of what must be sacrificed because there simply is not enough money.
This is where universal basic income deserves consideration. The concept is straightforward: People receive regular cash payments without having to prove they are poor, unemployed or deserving of assistance. Ideally, the amount would provide a meaningful foundation for meeting basic needs. On a continent rich in natural resources, millions work without earning enough to live comfortably. Having a job does not always guarantee financial security.
The question, therefore, is whether African economies can afford such payments and whether governments can translate national wealth into better lives for ordinary citizens.
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