The cost of a toxic workplace

Across Africa, more young workers are questioning what they should have to tolerate at work. From bullying and excessive workloads to poor leadership and low pay, some are choosing to leave jobs that take a toll on their mental health. The World Health Organization estimates that depression and anxiety cost the global economy 12 billion working days every year, amounting to around US$1 trillion in lost productivity. Meanwhile, Gallup’s 2026 workplace report found that just 19% of employees in sub-Saharan Africa were engaged at work. So what makes a workplace toxic, and how can workers tell the difference between ordinary job pressures and an environment that is damaging their wellbeing? We speak to 23-year-old Vivian Eneche and 30-year-old GG Wambara, both of whom quit their jobs for these reasons?

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna
Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Fana Nagesh and Carolyne Jotham
Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru
Senior Producers: Priya Sippy and Daniel Dadzie
Editors: Charles Gitonga and Maryam Abdalla