‘Africa’s Young Workforce To Become Powerful Global Economic Force’

By 2050, Africa’s young workforce could be one of the most powerful economic forces globally, bridging labour gaps in aging economies,says the managing director, Project Management Institute(PMI), Sub-Saharan Africa , George Asamani.

Asamani, while examining the increasing influence of African youths on the global stage, noted that, “Africa is the cradle of humanity and it is once again, shaping the future, this time, as the cradle of skills. The continent is home to the youngest population in the world, a demographic trend that stands in stark contrast to the aging and shrinking workforces in regions such as Europe, North America, and parts of Asia.”

He, however, warned that, to maximise this advantage, Africa must urgently invest in education, skills development, and strategic workforce planning to ensure its talent is valued globally.

According to the PMI boss, “this must happen in a world where innovation is accelerating, redefining industries and economies, yet disruption – both technological and political – threatens stabilit.”

He warned that “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.”

The Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) highlights the shifting nature of work, emphasising the rising demand for skills in technology, engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), and project management, all areas where Africa’s young workforce can thrive if equipped with the right skills.

The report said, “One of Africa’s greatest challenges is not just unemployment, but a skills mismatch—where graduates enter the job market with qualifications that no longer align with industry needs.

“This gap emerges 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 further revealed.

As a result, many graduates find themselves lacking the latest skills, not because their education was inadequate, but because the world moved forward faster than their curriculum”.

To address the challenges, Asamani stated that, “Higher education must evolve. Universities must expand beyond traditional degrees to include industry-aligned training, professional certifications, and skills-based learning that prepare students for the real world.

“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.

“Certifications are not “one and done” and are designed to adapt and evolve alongside industry changes. This ensures that certified professionals remain current, competitive, and aligned with the latest developments in their fields.”

He revealed that, universities across Africa have embraced this approach, with several institutions in Kenya, Ghana, and Rwanda serving as Authorised Training Partners (ATP), ensuring that students gain globally recognised project management skills that align with industry needs.

However, for this transformation to be truly impactful, he said, it must extend beyond individual institutions, noting that, to equip Africa’s workforce with future-ready skills at scale, certifications must be embedded into national education policies as a formal pathway to professional competence.

As part of this effort, governments, he said, should require that certain public projects, particularly in infrastructure, technology, and energy, be managed by certified professionals.

By making certifications a standard for procurement, governments can improve project outcomes, create demand for skilled professionals, and align public sector projects with global best practices as this policy shift will not only enhance efficiency but also ensure that Africa’s workforce is globally competitive and prepared for high-stakes, high-impact projects, he pointed out.