Where Are the Jobs?

Across Africa, the challenge of unemployment remains one of the most pressing issues of our time. As the COO at TALTRIX by Tech4Dev, my work revolves around not just identifying talent but also ensuring that skilled individuals have access to meaningful employment. Through TALTRIX, we are building a robust job-matching system that connects highly trained professionals with companies in need of top-tier talent. Beyond recruitment, my role involves working closely with governments at both the national and regional levels, supporting them in designing large-scale programs and initiatives that drive mass employment and economic growth across the continent.

Travelling and working across Africa, I have seen firsthand the urgent need for sustainable job creation strategies. From policy discussions with government leaders to grassroots initiatives, my focus has always been on bridging the gap between skills development and real job opportunities. This commitment extends beyond boardrooms and conference halls — I’ve even taken job placement efforts to unconventional spaces, such as hosting a job fair at my church, reinforcing the idea that employment solutions must be inclusive and accessible to all. As we explore the critical question, Where are the jobs?, it’s clear that solving this challenge requires collaboration, innovation, and a deep understanding of the unique dynamics shaping Africa’s labour market.

Africa, home to the world’s youngest population, is brimming with talent and untapped potential. Yet, the continent faces an urgent employment challenge, with millions of young people entering the job market each year, only to find a limited number of opportunities. This article explores the current job and talent landscape in Africa, the efforts made by governments to address the youth employment crisis, and how these initiatives are shaping the future workforce.

Africa’s Youth: A Growing Workforce

With more than 60% of Africa’s population under the age of 25, the continent boasts one of the largest youth populations globally. By 2030, Africa is expected to add 30 million young people to the labour market annually . This youth bulge presents both an opportunity and a challenge. On one hand, it could spur economic growth by providing a massive, energetic workforce. Conversely, the lack of sufficient jobs risks creating economic stagnation, social unrest, and increasing inequality.

Unemployment and underemployment remain critical issues. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), youth unemployment in sub-Saharan Africa hovers around 12%, but this statistic only scratches the surface. Many African countries face severe underemployment, where workers take low-paying, informal jobs far below their skill levels. The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 70% of Africa’s youth are either unemployed or working in vulnerable jobs that offer little security and benefits.

The Talent Landscape: A Shifting Paradigm

Africa’s youth possess immense potential across sectors ranging from agriculture to digital technology, but they often lack the necessary skills to meet market demands. A World Bank report found that less than 10% of secondary school students in sub-Saharan Africa have sufficient skills in literacy and numeracy for meaningful employment . Moreover, there is a growing mismatch between the skills being taught in schools and the requirements of industries.

Several sectors hold the potential to drive job creation. These include:

1. Agriculture: Still a major source of employment in Africa, agriculture is increasingly becoming tech-enabled. Innovations in agritech, such as precision farming and mobile applications for farmers, could modernize this sector, creating jobs for youth. I continue to be proud of the work of companies like Hello Tractor and Crop2Cash are doing in this space.
2. Digital Economy: Africa is witnessing a digital revolution, with its tech sector growing rapidly. Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa are leading the charge in fintech, e-commerce, and digital solutions. This presents significant job opportunities in software development, data analysis, and tech entrepreneurship.
3. Creative Industries: The creative economy, which includes film, music, fashion, and digital content creation, is thriving, particularly in Nigeria’s Nollywood, Ghana’s film industry, and South Africa’s music scene. These industries not only provide direct employment but also have a multiplier effect on the broader economy.
4. Business Process Outsourcing (BPO): With its large, English-speaking population, Africa is well-positioned to become a hub for global outsourcing, from call centers to IT services, offering many entry-level jobs for young people.

However, the opportunities in these sectors are constrained by several factors: inadequate infrastructure, limited access to financing, regulatory bottlenecks, and the scarcity of high-quality vocational training programs.

Government Efforts to Address Youth Employment

Recognizing the critical nature of the employment challenge, African governments and regional bodies have launched various initiatives aimed at creating jobs and upskilling the youth. Here are some notable efforts:

1. Youth Empowerment Programs

Many governments have launched youth employment and entrepreneurship initiatives designed to offer skills training and financial support to young entrepreneurs. For instance, Nigeria’s N-Power Program, part of the National Social Investment Program, has enrolled over 500,000 youth in various vocational training and internships since its inception in 2016 . Similarly, Kenya’s Youth Enterprise Development Fund provides affordable financing to help young people start small businesses.

2. Education and Skills Development Reforms

Governments across the continent are increasingly prioritizing education reform to address the skills mismatch between graduates and industry needs. Rwanda’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programs have been particularly successful, focusing on building the technical skills required for a modern economy. In 2021, the Rwandan government set a goal to have 60% of all students enrolled in TVET programs by 2030 .

3. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)

Public-private partnerships are playing an important role in expanding employment opportunities. The Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works initiative, in partnership with various African governments, aims to create 30 million jobs by 2030, focusing on skills development and access to capital for entrepreneurs . Similarly, Nigeria’s partnership with Microsoft is focused on providing digital skills training to millions of youth, particularly in underserved communities.

4. Infrastructure Investments

Governments are increasingly investing in infrastructure projects aimed at creating jobs and enabling economic growth. For instance, Ethiopia’s focus on industrial parks and Nigeria’s various road and rail projects are not only providing immediate construction jobs but also improving the overall business environment, which in turn boosts long-term job creation in other sectors.

The Impact of Government Efforts on the Youth

Government initiatives are making progress, but the scale of the youth employment challenge means much more is needed. While some programs have been successful in skilling youth and enabling entrepreneurship, others have struggled with inefficiency, corruption, and inadequate reach. For example, many rural and underserved areas still lack access to government services and programs, leaving significant gaps in support.

Additionally, while vocational and skills development programs are essential, they need to be more aligned with the demands of the modern economy. Governments must work closely with the private sector to ensure that training programs address current industry needs, particularly in technology and innovation.

One area where more progress is needed is the scaling of successful programs. For example, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers a significant opportunity to create millions of jobs through intra-African trade and entrepreneurship, but countries need to make concerted efforts to align national policies with regional economic goals to maximize this potential.

The Way Forward: Unlocking Africa’s Youth Potential

To ensure a prosperous future for Africa’s youth, governments must adopt a more holistic approach to job creation. This means not only focusing on immediate employment opportunities but also fostering an ecosystem that supports long-term economic growth. Key recommendations include:

1. Enhancing Education Systems: African governments need to reform education systems to emphasize STEM fields, critical thinking, and digital literacy to equip the youth with skills for the future.
2. Encouraging Entrepreneurship: Governments should foster entrepreneurship by easing access to finance, reducing bureaucratic barriers, and providing mentorship and networks for young business owners.
3. Boosting Digital Infrastructure: Investments in digital infrastructure, such as affordable internet access, are critical to enabling participation in the global digital economy and supporting tech-based jobs.
4. Inclusive Growth: Governments must ensure that job creation programs reach marginalized groups, including women, people with disabilities, and rural populations.

Conclusion

Africa’s youth unemployment crisis is a ticking time bomb, but it also presents an opportunity for growth and transformation. Governments are making strides, but more comprehensive and coordinated efforts are needed to unlock the full potential of Africa’s young population. By investing in education, technology, entrepreneurship, and public-private partnerships, African nations can create the jobs necessary to support their growing youth populations, driving economic growth and reducing inequality across the continent.

In summary, while challenges remain, Africa’s job landscape is evolving, and with the right investments and policies, the continent’s youth can become the engine of its economic success.