Read time: 3 minutes

Africa goes online as youngsters flood job market

COVID-19 has fast-tracked remote connectivity and the ‘work-from-home’ model globally, and Africa is no exception.

A recent report by a government-led digital workspace, Ajira Digital, showed that over 1.2 million Kenyans are now finding work online.

“Our June 2021 National study on digital and digitally-enabled work & awareness of the Ajira Digital Program in Kenya established that 5% of the adult population in Kenya are digital workers, which translates to 1.2 million Kenyans,” reads an excerpt from a statement released by the organisation.

Ajira Digital aims to train and offer digital online job opportunities to Kenyans across the country.

Ronnie Kwesi Coleman, Founder and CEO of Meaningful Gigs.
Ronnie Kwesi Coleman, Founder and CEO of Meaningful Gigs.

Ronnie Kwesi Coleman, Founder and CEO of Meaningful Gigs, said, “From the African perspective, we are solving a shortage of skilled jobs on the Continent. By 2050, 25% of the world’s population will live on the African continent.”

According to Coleman the number of young people entering the workforce in Africa is more than the number among all other continents combined, which illustrates just how important it is to create skilled jobs in Africa.

His company is helping designers and digital workers to access opportunities globally using technology.

“Right now, tech and design talent in Africa have an opportunity to show the world what they're capable of. COVID has levelled the playing field and has allowed big brands and legacy enterprises to consider hiring outside of their immediate geographies,” Coleman said.

“From the company perspective, we create easy access to a remote, diverse workforce that companies can hire with confidence. We are a market-ready solution that addresses both racial equity and design issues.”

Future of work

Yasmin Kumi, CEO of Africa Foresight Group, added: “The future of work is coming, I think everybody knows that now especially with COVID. But we also believe the future of work is Africa. What many people haven’t realised is that a huge portion of the global freelancers in the coming decades is going to come from Africa.”

It is in line with this belief that Africa Foresight Group began its freelance platform, Peralta to give African talent a global market. The platform aims to be the largest freelance digital network.

Coleman encouraged local Africa to upskill themselves through online courses to be readily marketable globally, as more opportunities open up digitally. “African talent should use this time to start upskilling themselves on whatever digital skills they're most interested in.”

Daily newsletter