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A Traditional Job Isn’t the Only Path to Success | Anuj Tanna | TED

Africa’s booming youth population is often seen as a “jobless generation.” But in Kenya alone, young people are already adding more than 530 million dollars a month to the economy through informal businesses. Social entrepreneur Anuj Tanna, who cofounded a social network to connect these entrepreneurs, challenges us to rethink the narrative: What if the…

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Africa’s booming youth population is often seen as a “jobless generation.” But in Kenya alone, young people are already adding more than 530 million dollars a month to the economy through informal businesses. Social entrepreneur Anuj Tanna, who cofounded a social network to connect these entrepreneurs, challenges us to rethink the narrative: What if the informal economy isn’t a problem to fix, but a powerful engine to fuel the future of work? (Recorded at TED Countdown Summit 2025 on June 17, 2025)

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37 Comments

37 Comments

  1. @missaayaah

    September 5, 2025 at 11:03 am

    im thinking of opening youtube channel ? any tips ? can i find my people

    • @mirabella2154

      September 5, 2025 at 11:12 am

      Forget it.

    • @Big_Garf

      September 5, 2025 at 11:23 am

      Find a topic you enjoy and start making videos about it. Do it for fun and if it blows up great! If not you’ve got a hobby you enjoy and will learn video editing skills. It’s a win-win, all the best!

    • @riseabd

      September 5, 2025 at 11:24 am

      DO IT!!I will be your first subscriber!

    • @missaayaah

      September 6, 2025 at 3:30 am

      ⁠@@Big_Garfthank you so much .
      how to edit videos ? any app’s recommendation or anything ?

    • @missaayaah

      September 6, 2025 at 3:30 am

      @@riseabdthank you 💐

  2. @alexanderarthur4937

    September 5, 2025 at 11:03 am

    Love this as an entrepreneur I totally agree🙏🙏

    • @Pascalganaa

      September 5, 2025 at 11:07 am

      Definitely…

    • @SanmiAdeosun-z6o

      September 5, 2025 at 11:18 am

      Can I have a job though?

  3. @sangeethakamath11

    September 5, 2025 at 11:04 am

    Easier said than done.

    • @Pascalganaa

      September 5, 2025 at 11:09 am

      Easier taking a step and being deyermined than just having the thought

    • @meshlife254

      September 6, 2025 at 5:43 am

      It’s not always easy. But taking the first small step makes it more doable. 💪🏾

  4. @nklundy

    September 5, 2025 at 11:18 am

    If the future of work is informal, the future cost of living must be *affordable*

    • @meshlife254

      September 6, 2025 at 5:38 am

      True, informal sector ndio backbone

  5. @futuretechnzone

    September 5, 2025 at 11:33 am

    This hits different… we’ve been told for decades that the 9–5 is the only ‘safe’ path, but the world is shifting fast. Sometimes the riskiest move is actually playing it safe. 💡 What do you think—is stability overrated in today’s world?

  6. @fifiat100

    September 5, 2025 at 11:53 am

    Brilliant!

  7. @annemiltenburg409

    September 5, 2025 at 11:54 am

    Really refreshing perspective 👏

  8. @ShaniRoseTaggart1995

    September 5, 2025 at 11:58 am

    Such a refreshing perspective. Fuel not fix.

  9. @prasannatanna5234

    September 5, 2025 at 11:59 am

    Brilliant and refreshing ! Forward thinking outlook for a developing economy!

  10. @ATagg-26

    September 5, 2025 at 12:10 pm

    👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  11. @EdwardAnanda

    September 5, 2025 at 12:22 pm

    This is 💯

  12. @Tanumik

    September 5, 2025 at 12:32 pm

    Opportunity to make a positive impact for many

  13. @MrElvis1971

    September 5, 2025 at 12:33 pm

    Young people aren’t told that success lies in getting a formal job. They are told that success lies in getting a high income. The problem is the economy, by definition, doesn’t allow everyone to be on a high income.

  14. @tessiewaithira

    September 5, 2025 at 12:43 pm

    great insight on trust, so true for Kenyan market, can’t wait to see what new forms of building trust emerge especially in an AI first world

  15. @BhavaneshTanna

    September 5, 2025 at 3:01 pm

    Really inspiring & innovative perspective

  16. @BrightBeautiful77

    September 5, 2025 at 4:22 pm

    Beautiful Ted Talk.
    The world is in need of a shift, individual skill building and organic growth, it’s in need of community. This is amazing. A necessary breath of fresh air

    • @meshlife254

      September 6, 2025 at 5:40 am

      Couldn’t agree more. A timely reminder that we thrive better together.

  17. @shreenaltanna4749

    September 5, 2025 at 4:37 pm

    What an amazing perspective and community being built! Looking forward to the next TED talk!

  18. @kivaya

    September 6, 2025 at 12:23 am

    Glad to have been a member of this community for over 4 years. Learnt and made valuable connection

    • @meshlife254

      September 6, 2025 at 5:39 am

      👏🏾Glad you’ve gained knowledge and built strong connections along the way on MESH.

  19. @A.shk9

    September 6, 2025 at 3:42 am

    Every word mattered—truly impactful talk.

  20. @Leon-pm6lr

    September 6, 2025 at 7:52 am

    They don’t have the education nor the funding to open a real business 😂 It’s more like please give me money street vendors.

    • @LoveIsABattlefield69

      September 7, 2025 at 6:25 pm

      Exactly. Its digital pan handling.

  21. @ExistentialWolf

    September 6, 2025 at 8:23 am

    I like the we’re all white inside get up – peace from the Copts ✌☠🍺

  22. @DILIPBhandari-n5t

    September 6, 2025 at 1:25 pm

    I love his accent ❤😊

  23. @marcsequence

    September 6, 2025 at 4:55 pm

    So everyone become entrepreneurs and content creators aaaaaaaand its gone, ai content creators, ai entrepreneurs Ruh roh raggy

  24. @julijamison5813

    September 7, 2025 at 11:45 am

    Is anyone else getting and appreciating the irony of every few minute AI commercials in a video about the current difficulty of gaining employment with a college education?

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