Unlocking Africa’s Potential: Bridging Workforce Gaps for Youth Development
Skill Development and Opportunity Recognition for Africa’s Emerging Leaders
As Africa strides towards economic prosperity, its youth represent a crucial demographic for driving sustainable development. However, to harness their full potential, it is imperative to address key workforce skills, gaps, and opportunities. In this article, we delve into six pivotal areas, backed by factual statistics and actionable insights, aimed at empowering African youth and fostering continental growth.
These insights are from a higher education professional who has worked in a Western African nation and will provide perspective from the lens of this experience. I also recognize that some other skills being shared will require adaptation to some cultural context and might require a shift in the curriculum, but also the mindset of our young people.
Technological Advancement and Digital Literacy
Africa’s digital revolution presents unprecedented opportunities for economic advancement. According to the World Bank, Africa’s internet penetration has surged from 2% in 2005 to over 28% in 2020, illustrating the continent’s growing connectivity. However, a significant digital divide remains, with rural areas and underserved communities lagging. The lag concerns infrastructure and its value and relevance in this region.
The opportunity to embrace technological proficiency can unlock avenues for innovation, entrepreneurship, and global collaboration. Our young adults can benefit by learning these three in-demand skills in our ever-expanding technological world.
- Gain experience in digital literacy and proficiency in coding languages by engaging in online courses and coding boot camps.
- Learn critical thinking and problem-solving in digital contexts by volunteering for tech-related projects to gain hands-on experience at school or with organizations needing assistance.
- Stay aware of adaptability to emerging technologies and platforms by joining tech communities and participating in hackathons and coding competitions.
While involving yourself in the tech space, you might gain interest in considering it as part of a more formal education through academic programs or vocational training in specific fields. If you wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree, you might consider computer Science, information technology, or even artificial intelligence.
On the other hand, if you prefer to be more vocational and seek specific training for your interest, then explore courses in web development, data analytics, and cybersecurity. All areas provide immediate skill development and potential work opportunities. Additionally, technology will be linked to the development of entrepreneurship and small businesses.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
Entrepreneurship holds the key to fostering economic resilience and job creation across Africa. The continent is home to a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, with approximately 22% of working-age adults engaged in entrepreneurial activities, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM).
The young adults are eager to find solutions and create pathways for market solutions in many industries. Start-up incubators and accelerator programs are flourishing in many countries, both independently and at academic institutions. These business development and support hubs are needed to fuel the entrepreneurial spirit at all levels, but definitely with our youth sector.
The impetus lies within the school system, universities, and governments to nurture entrepreneurial skills that can drive innovation, create employment opportunities, and catalyze sustainable growth. Our young adults can benefit by learning these three in-demand skills in our ever-expanding technological world.
- Learn business acumen and financial literacy through participation in entrepreneurship workshops and startup accelerators.
- Hone creativity and innovation in problem-solving by seeking mentorship from successful entrepreneurs and industry experts.
- Strengthen your communication and networking by interacting with small-scale ventures or social enterprises to gain practical experience.
Building a business requires discipline, as the journey of entrepreneurship has many obstacles to navigate from development to stability. Young adults can gain knowledge and skills by seeking a formal education through academic programs or vocational training in a variety of business fields. If you are seeking to pursue a bachelor’s degree, you might consider a program in entrepreneurship or business administration.
If you prefer to be more vocational, you can seek specific training by exploring courses in business planning, marketing, and financial management. These are crucial areas of any entrepreneurship or small business roadmap for success. Being entrepreneurial requires selecting a niche, and there is no better one than agriculture, which helps provide nutrition globally.
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security
Agriculture has long been and continues to be the backbone of many African economies, employing over 60% of the continent’s workforce, according to the African Development Bank (AfDB). Additionally, the continent has the second largest population under 30 years old; there is a high need to create food security and sustainable farming practices. However, challenges such as climate change, land degradation, and limited access to modern farming techniques hinder agricultural productivity and food security.
Despite these challenges, the youth have an opportunity to learn and adopt sustainable agricultural practices that can enhance productivity. Furthermore, the use of technology and business planning could be used to help mitigate environmental risks and ensure food sovereignty.
- Gain agricultural knowledge and agricultural technology (agritech) proficiency by engaging in agricultural internships and apprenticeships in farming or processing ventures.
- Practice environmental stewardship and conservation practices by volunteering for community farming projects, urban farming, and agribusiness initiatives.
- Develop adaptability to climate-resilient farming and production techniques by leveraging online resources and regional webinars on sustainable farming practices.
To many youths, farming does not seem like a lucrative way to make an income, but with population growth and climate change, knowing how to create sustainable food options for a global market is a needed career path.
If understanding the importance of the food supply chain interests you, consider seeking a formal education through academic programs or vocational training. If you wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree, consider agricultural sciences, agribusiness management, agricultural engineering, or food sciences.
On the other hand, if you prefer more vocational training, explore courses in organic farming, crop and soil management, and hydroponic farming. One could also consider agricultural extension services, where you learn and share farm improvement skills, resources, and knowledge with small-scale farming communities. While agricultural ventures might not be enticing, healthy and quality food consumption helps mitigate health issues.
Healthcare Access and Public Health
From having access to growing quality food to having access to healthcare, both complement each other. However, healthcare access remains a pressing issue across many African nations. The issue is exacerbated by inadequate infrastructure, insufficient trained professionals, limited resources, and disease outbreaks.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Africa bears a disproportionate burden of communicable diseases, maternal mortality, and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These challenges are often compounded by “brain-draining” when talented youth opt for foreign medical education, often with governmental support, but fail to return home to lower the gaps and shortages.
Strengthening healthcare in all areas is one of the biggest opportunities on the continent. Boosting systems and promoting public health awareness with modern and traditional medical practices can improve health outcomes. There is room for significant improvement in reducing morbidity and mortality rates and fostering socio-economic development.
- Practice healthcare delivery and patient care by volunteering in healthcare clinics and creating community health campaigns.
- Learn epidemiological analysis and disease surveillance through internships in public health organizations, local clinics, and NGOs
- Implement health education and community outreach by advocating for health policy reforms, traditional medical research and practice, and awareness initiatives.
Healthcare at all levels can be a rewarding career as you often help others in your community with their life needs and longevity. It also requires specific and lengthy years of training. Thus, pursuing traditional medical education in a formal setting through academic programs or vocational training will require significant rigor.
However, you can pursue a bachelor’s degree in healthcare-related degrees that require medical knowledge combined with administration in public health, healthcare administration, community and preventive health, and nursing.
If you are seeking vocational and specific training for your interest, then explore courses for shorter programs in community health promotion, healthcare management, long-term care management, nursing, or nutrition services. Overall, the healthcare field has many levels and layers suitable for potential work opportunities based on your interest and skill development.
While renewable energy might not seem to have a connection, they do — without reliable energy sources, the delivery of healthcare can be challenging.
Renewable Energy and Environmental Sustainability
Based on the topography of Africa, it is home to abundant renewable energy sources, particularly across the Sub-Saharan and Sahel regions. Those resources are solar, wind, and hydroelectric power. These sources offer immense potential for powering economic development while mitigating climate change.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that renewable energy could meet 22% of Africa’s energy needs by 2030. Creating the proper infrastructure for the sources from construction to management will fuel the growth of the next industrial age.
The opportunities for young adults in the sector is vast but will require intentional investing in education and training from renewable energy gurus about infrastructure and sustainable practices. However, harnessing this knowledge and implementing it can reduce carbon emissions, enhance energy access, and spur green economic growth.
- Learn renewable energy technology and engineering by participating in renewable energy internships and research projects.
- Gain insight into environmental impact assessment and sustainability planning through advocacy for renewable energy policies and initiatives.
- Learn project management and implementation of renewable energy projects in collaboration with local communities to implement off-grid energy solutions.
Joining the renewable energy movement will require understanding your local environment and learning technical expertise. Due to its evolving nature, it is one of the areas that will require ongoing education. However, those interested can choose formal education in academic programs or vocational training in specific fields, as both are critically needed.
If you are seeking to pursue a bachelor’s degree, consider renewable energy engineering, environmental science, or sustainable energies. The vocational aspects are also critical due to the technical skills and training in solar panel installation, energy management, electronics, and sustainable development. The area of renewable and sustainable energy holds seemingly unlimited possibilities for driving the economics of the continent.
Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment
Access to formal financial services remains limited for a significant portion of Africa’s population, hindering savings mobilization, investment opportunities, and economic empowerment. According to the World Bank, only 43% of African adults have a bank account.
The opportunity for promoting financial literacy and expanding services is needed. Access to financial management from a rural village to a bustling city can only drive inclusive growth, reduce poverty, and foster economic resilience. The catalyst is our youth as they learn, educate, and promote this change.
- Learn financial literacy and money management by attending financial literacy workshops and seminars.
- Explore entrepreneurial finance and investment strategies through the utilization of mobile banking and fintech platforms for transactions and planning.
- Introduce digital banking and mobile financial services by advocating for policy reforms to promote financial inclusion and consumer protection.
Involving yourself in the financial sector that allows more, including developing, using, and teaching digital options, is about community empowerment. A formal education system through academic programs and vocational training is already common. However, the primary focus should be continued education or retooling of present knowledge.
Augment the accounting, finance, and economics degrees by providing upskilling options in fintech, digital banking, and micro-investing. Add vocational training to execute the grassroots levels of micro-lending, microfinance, financial literacy, and fintech innovation. These areas provide immediate skill deployment and potential work opportunities.
In conclusion, African youth have immense potential to drive positive change and propel the continent towards prosperity. Helping students and their families see beyond the four traditional degrees (Accounting, Law, Medicine, Engineering) and their credentials and look into the future of work and growth needs will be vital for bridging the gap and developing opportunities.
Equipping young adults with relevant skills that translate into jobs and finances will turn the tide in favor of these workforce areas. Seizing and embracing emerging opportunities like the six listed above will require a spirit of innovation and resilience. If anyone can rise to the challenge, it will be our young adults who are, in many cases, already expanding upon entrepreneurial and innovative ventures.
Thus, African youth are the driving factor for overcoming the existing workforce gaps and contributing meaningfully to the continent’s development journey. Let us embrace the future with optimism and determination, knowing that the next generation holds the key to unlocking Africa’s boundless possibilities.
Citations:
1. World Bank. (2020). Internet users (per 100 people) — Sub-Saharan Africa. Retrieved from https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?locations=ZG
2. Global Entrepreneurship Monitor. (n.d.). Global Entrepreneurship Monitor — 2020/2021 Global Report. Retrieved from https://www.gemconsortium.org/report/50416
3. African Development Bank. (n.d.). Agriculture: Key to Africa’s Development. Retrieved from https://www.afdb.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/aeb_volume_8_issue_3.pdf
4. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Maternal mortality ratio (per 100,000 live births). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/indicators/indicator-details/GHO/maternal-mortality-ratio-(per-100-000-live-births)
5. International Renewable Energy Agency. (2021). Renewable Energy Statistics 2021. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org/publications/2021/Mar/Renewable-energy-statistics-2021
6. World Bank. (n.d.). Global Findex Database 2017. Retrieved from https://globalfindex.worldbank.org/
Along with sharing your perspective about the article, I can assist any institution or organization with youth development initiatives. I would be delighted to have a conversation about creating a program for soft skills development or being a motivational speaker for your students. Please feel free to contact me.
