The Managing Director of the Project Management Institute, Sub-Saharan Africa, George Asamani, has stated that Africa’s young workforce has the potential to become a major global economic force by 2050, helping to bridge labor shortages in aging economies.
This was disclosed in a statement by Asamani in the CitCiting Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum.
In the statement, he described Africa as both the cradle of humanity and the “cradle of skills,” highlighting its role in driving global change.
“The continent is home to the youngest population in the world, a demographic trend that stands in stark contrast to the ageing and shrinking workforces in regions such as Europe, North America, and parts of Asia,” he stated.
Asamani, however cautioned that without swift investment in education, skills development, and workforce planning, Africa risks losing its demographic advantage.
“Without coordinated efforts, the continent risks missing out on a defining era—one that could determine whether its young workforce thrives or remains underutilised in a world that desperately needs its talent,” he warned.
According to the report, Asamani noted that while global demand for skills in technology, engineering, AI, and project management is growing, Africa faces not just unemployment but a widening skills gap.
“This gap emerged because, by the time universities award degrees, three to four years have passed, long enough for industries to evolve, technologies to advance, and employer demands to shift,” the report stated.
Asamani emphasized the need for higher education to move beyond traditional degrees by integrating industry-aligned training, professional certifications, and skills-based learning to meet market demands.
“This presents a unique opportunity for universities to enhance their relevance by partnering with organisations to offer globally recognised certifications to students before they graduate,” he noted.
He concluded that unlocking Africa’s economic potential requires strategic investments in skills development, education reform, and policy integration.
