Publication date : Apr 21, 2026, 6:18PM
The PhD candidate will conduct doctoral research on: "Rethinking business formalization in Africa in the digital era: The role and positioning of a telecom operator in a multi-stakeholder ecosystem".
Context and research problem
In sub-Saharan Africa, nearly 90% of employment is informal, and the majority of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) operate in the informal economy [1]. While formalization is often presented as a driver of economic development, formalization policies have shown their limits [2; 3] and failed to fundamentally change entrepreneurial practices. Digital services are now widely adopted by MSMEs [4; 5], raising questions about their potential role in formalization strategies and the positioning of telecom operators in what has traditionally been a government-led domain. Beyond connectivity, these actors now offer financial services (mobile money, digital credit), develop solutions for MSMEs and governments, and generate massive datasets on micro-enterprise economic behavior.
This thesis reframes MSME formalization in the digital age through three complementary axes: 1) the effects of digital services on MSMEs' formalization practices and trajectories; 2) the reconfiguration of the formalization ecosystem and the legitimacy of telecom operators to intervene alongside public and private actors; 3) the tensions between commercial imperatives, development goals and digital sovereignty, and the conditions for shared value creation among entrepreneurs, operators and public authorities. The thesis may prioritize one axis as its main entry point while engaging with the other dimensions, depending on the selected candidate's profile.
Research objectives and challenges
The thesis aims to: (1) empirically analyze the effects of telecom operators' digital services on formalization practices and trajectories, through an in-depth case study put into perspective with other African contexts; (2) examine the role and legitimacy of operators in formalization governance in the digital era; (3) shed light on the strategic and responsibility-related challenges associated with the role of operators such as Orange in these ecosystems.
Key challenges:
Key challenges are as follows. Theoretically, moving beyond State/market and formal/informal dichotomies to conceptualize the hybridizations at work and examine the legitimacy of private actors. Empirically, documenting actual practices in their complexity and ambivalences, beyond promotional or critical discourses. Methodologically, coherently articulating different disciplinary approaches and developing methodological reflexivity to reconcile a critical research posture and industrial collaboration within the CIFRE framework.
Open profile
Given the interdisciplinary nature of this topic (development economics, political science, sociology, geography, anthropology, etc.), applications from candidates with diverse disciplinary backgrounds are encouraged. The research project will be co-designed with the selected candidate to best leverage their background and specific skills.
Required skills and qualifications
- Excellent writing skills in both French and English.
- Strong command of qualitative research methods (interviews, observations, documentary analysis) and familiarity with qualitative analysis software.
- Quantitative and statistical analysis skills (econometrics, data analysis); proficiency in data analysis software (R, Python, Stata).
- Ability to integrate different methodological approaches (mixed methods) and appetite for interdisciplinary work
- Knowledge of and strong interest in informality and/or digital issues
- Autonomy
- Methodological rigor
- Critical analytical thinking
- Ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and communicate with varied audiences (academic, operational, institutional)
- Field research aptitude and adaptability
- Strong research ethics
- Intellectual curiosity and open-mindedness
Educational background
Master's degree (or equivalent) in:
- Development economics (preferred)
- Political science (preferred)
- Sociology
- Geography
- Development studies
- Anthropology
Desired experience:
- Research internship in social sciences
- Field experience in sub-Saharan Africa (research, NGO, or corporate)
- Participation in research projects
- Completion of a research-based master's thesis
References
[1]ILO, Kiaka A. & Leung V. (2020). The Transition from the informal to the formal economy in Africa. Global Employment Policy Review, Background Paper, 2.
[2] Bruhn, M., & McKenzie, D. (2014). Entry regulation and the formalization of microenterprises in developing countries.The World Bank Research Observer,29(2), 186-201.
[3] Ulyssea, G. (2020). Informality: Causes and consequences for development.Annual Review of Economics,12(1), 525-546.
[4] GSMA (2019) State of the Mobile Industry Report on mobile money. GSMA
[5] Berrou, J.-P., Combarnous, F., Eekhout, T. et Mellet, K. (2020). Mon mobile, mon marché Usages du téléphone mobile et performances économiques dans le secteur informel dakarois. Réseaux, 219(1), 105-142.
This thesis is the first to explore telecom operators' role in business formalization in Africa—addressing a significant gap in the literature. It raises compelling epistemological questions about producing critical knowledge within an industrial partnership.
The research takes a balanced approach to examining both the opportunities and risks of digital services for formalization: their potential to facilitate access to financial services and reduce formalization costs on one hand, versus concerns about data extractivism, technological dependency and economic power concentration on the other.
Key advantages:
- Privileged access to field sites and Orange’s data.
- Co-construction with operational teams ensuring business relevance and direct impact on Orange's strategic thinking.
- Dual supervision (Orange and academic) with expertise in digital technology, informality, and entrepreneurship.
- Mixed disciplinary and methodological approach.
- Development of a rich professional network (academic, corporate, institutional).
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Within Orange Innovation, you will join SENSE (Sociology and Economics of Networks and Services), a social sciences research center within the Orange Group. SENSE brings together expertise in sociology, ergonomics, economics, and data science. Our researchers study digital transformations and their impacts on individuals, organizations, and society, combining multiple disciplinary and methodological approaches.
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