Business
Creating new pathways to employment, entrepreneurship and innovation
According to the World Economic Forum, nearly 40% of workplace skills are expected to change by 2030, while 63% of employers cite skills shortages as the biggest obstacle to growth and transformation.
Mumbi Ndungu, Executive Director Power Learn Project Africa. (Courtesy photo)
By: Simon Okitela, Journalist @New Vision
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Across Africa, the future of work is arriving faster than many economies are prepared for. Artificial Intelligence, automation, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and digital technologies are transforming industries worldwide.
Yet while demand for technology talent continues to grow, millions of young Africans remain unemployed or under-employed. Mumbi Ndungu, Executive Director Power Learn Project Africa says this needs to be addressed.
According to the World Economic Forum, nearly 40% of workplace skills are expected to change by 2030, while 63% of employers cite skills shortages as the biggest obstacle to growth and transformation.
Further, the WEF, projects a net creation of 78 million jobs globally over the next five years, many of them concentrated in technology, data, AI, and digital services. Experts note that for Africa, this presents both a risk and an opportunity.
“Africa is projected to contribute the largest share of new entrants into the global labour force over the coming decades. Yet without large-scale investment in future-ready skills, millions of young people could remain excluded from emerging economic opportunities,” Mumbi Ndungu, Executive Director Power Learn Project Africa noted.
Power Learn Project Africa runs the ambitious ‘1MillionDevs4Africa’ program that among others like it is beginning to reshape the conversation.
Rather than focusing solely on education, these programmes are building talent ecosystems that connect skills development to employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic participation.
The initiative seeks to democratize access to digital skills by equipping young Africans with competencies in software development, AI, data analytics, cloud technologies, and digital innovation. More importantly, it recognizes that technical training alone is no longer enough.
LinkedIn's latest workforce research shows that AI literacy, data skills, collaboration, and strategic thinking are among the fastest-growing skills in demand globally.
“Africa is projected to contribute the largest share of new entrants into the global labour force over the coming decades. Yet without large-scale investment in future-ready skills, millions of young people could remain excluded from emerging economic opportunities,” Mumbi Ndungu, Executive Director Power Learn Project Africa noted.
Power Learn Project Africa runs the ambitious ‘1MillionDevs4Africa’ program that among others like it is beginning to reshape the conversation.
Rather than focusing solely on education, these programmes are building talent ecosystems that connect skills development to employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, and economic participation.
The initiative seeks to democratize access to digital skills by equipping young Africans with competencies in software development, AI, data analytics, cloud technologies, and digital innovation. More importantly, it recognizes that technical training alone is no longer enough.
LinkedIn's latest workforce research shows that AI literacy, data skills, collaboration, and strategic thinking are among the fastest-growing skills in demand globally.
For young people, programmes like ‘1MillionDevs4Africa’ create direct pathways into employment by providing practical experience, project-based learning, mentorship, and exposure to industry expectations.
On the other hand, these programs also help to address access to job-ready talent and which remains one of the biggest barriers to growth for employers, while supporting broader national goals around digital transformation, innovation, and youth employment.
But perhaps the most transformative impact opportunity lies in entrepreneurship. AI is lowering barriers to innovation, allowing individuals and small teams to build products, automate processes, analyses data, and create scalable solutions faster than ever before.
“Africa's technology sector has become one of the continent's most important engines of innovation. From fintech, health tech to agritech and climate technology, young entrepreneurs are developing solutions to some of Africa's most pressing challenges. Employers increasingly want candidates who can solve problems, collaborate across teams, communicate effectively, and apply technology to these real-world challenges”, said Ndung’u.
This shift is particularly important in Africa, where entrepreneurship often serves as both an economic necessity and a driver of job creation. As the demand for digital talent grows, not only in Africa but globally, countries and organizations will continue to compete for AI, software engineering, cybersecurity, and data expertise.
Africa must therefore seize this moment to equip her young people with the right skills, relevant training, and access to opportunity towards creating world beating innovators, builders, entrepreneurs, and global contributors.
On the other hand, these programs also help to address access to job-ready talent and which remains one of the biggest barriers to growth for employers, while supporting broader national goals around digital transformation, innovation, and youth employment.
But perhaps the most transformative impact opportunity lies in entrepreneurship. AI is lowering barriers to innovation, allowing individuals and small teams to build products, automate processes, analyses data, and create scalable solutions faster than ever before.
“Africa's technology sector has become one of the continent's most important engines of innovation. From fintech, health tech to agritech and climate technology, young entrepreneurs are developing solutions to some of Africa's most pressing challenges. Employers increasingly want candidates who can solve problems, collaborate across teams, communicate effectively, and apply technology to these real-world challenges”, said Ndung’u.
This shift is particularly important in Africa, where entrepreneurship often serves as both an economic necessity and a driver of job creation. As the demand for digital talent grows, not only in Africa but globally, countries and organizations will continue to compete for AI, software engineering, cybersecurity, and data expertise.
Africa must therefore seize this moment to equip her young people with the right skills, relevant training, and access to opportunity towards creating world beating innovators, builders, entrepreneurs, and global contributors.