The fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is ushering in an era where professionals with specialised skills are increasingly in demand. Africa has the potential to emerge as a leading provider of such experts to global markets.
The rapid pace of technological advancements is driving a high demand for individuals well-versed in ICT innovations, capable of thriving in this digital age and becoming true global citizens.
According to the World Bank Group, skills development is central to the ongoing changes in education and labour markets, influenced by global
mega-trends such as automation, climate action, the digitalisation of products and services, and a shrinking labour force. These trends are transforming the nature of work and altering skills requirements. As a result, skills and workforce development systems must proactively adapt to the swift transformations posed by these factors. These shifts will redefine the paradigms of education and workforce development systems worldwide.
Africa is particularly well-positioned to capitalise on these evolving trends, being the continent with the youngest population globally. By investing in skills acquisition for its growing youth population, Africa can position itself as a major player in this field.
According to Coursera’s sixth annual Global Skills Report 2024, there are approximately 3.4 million unfilled jobs globally, highlighting the need for training institutions to equip learners to meet this demand.
Coursera’s CEO, Jeff Maggioncalda, noted that the report’s data on countries’ skilled training rankings was derived from a learning community of over 148 million learners, 7,000 institutional customers, and content from 325 top university and industry partners.
These data indicate a significant demand for jobs requiring specialised skills, presenting a lucrative opportunity for young Africans to secure good livelihoods and advance their careers to the highest levels.
Governments, key stakeholders, and private investors should embrace this opportunity and invest heavily in skills acquisition, particularly in ICT and related digital technologies.
Below are the African nations ranked in the Global Skills Report 2024, which primarily assessed learners’ performance in business, technology, and data science:
- Cameroon: Global Rank – 74
- Tunisia: Global Rank – 76
- Zambia: Global Rank – 88
- Ethiopia: Global Rank – 92
- Algeria: Global Rank – 95
- Zimbabwe: Global Rank – 97
- Kenya: Global Rank – 98
- Côte d’Ivoire: Global Rank – 99
- South Africa: Global Rank – 100
- Uganda: Global Rank – 102
- Ghana: Global Rank – 104
- Nigeria: Global Rank – 105
Africa is well-positioned to take the lead in the Fourth Industrial Revolution through the adoption of cutting-edge technology and the allocation of resources towards education and training. By doing so, the continent can establish itself as a preferred destination for skilled professionals and drive economic growth.
