Rapid Development of IT Expertise due to the Influence of Artificial Intelligence
In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), African organizations are taking significant strides to equip their workforce with the necessary AI-ready skills. According to recent estimates, AI could contribute up to $1.5 trillion to Africa's economy by 2030, provided the continent can capture 10% of the global AI market [1].
However, a drop in the allocated budget for skills development has been observed, with not a single organisation spending more than 10% of their HR or IT budgets on skills development and training, compared to a quarter of organisations in a previous survey [2]. This has led to a skills shortage, causing negative impacts such as failed innovation initiatives, project delays, increased team pressure, and an inability to take on new client projects [3].
To address this challenge, African organizations are actively addressing the AI skills shortage by upskilling their workforce through AI-focused training programs, supporting AI startups, and fostering inclusive AI development initiatives.
One such example is Ahura AI, co-founded by African AI professionals, which provides AI tutoring and skill-building to prepare workers for AI-related roles [1]. Organizations like Alliance4ai also support Africans and African Americans to get more involved in AI, highlighting and growing the local AI ecosystem [1].
Moreover, Africa's leading AI innovation hubs, such as Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, are investing in AI startups that apply AI solutions in sectors like retail, telecommunications, agriculture, transport, and medicine delivery. This ecosystem development increases demand and opportunities for AI-ready talent on the continent [1].
Civil society groups and coalitions, such as CIPESA, emphasize the need for ethical, inclusive, and human-centered AI governance, which includes the provision of decent AI jobs and resources for skills development embedded in the context of African communities [3].
Continental AI policy frameworks and declarations, like the Africa Declaration on Artificial Intelligence signed by 49 African Union member states, set a roadmap for AI development aligned with African values and priorities. Such frameworks encourage national-level commitments to build AI capacity and infrastructure that include workforce skill development [2].
Reports also highlight that many African and Black workers at risk of job displacement due to AI-driven automation need targeted reskilling efforts to transition into AI and tech-related roles [4].
In light of the rapid pace of technological advancement, any organization that fails to invest in skills will likely find themselves unprepared and unable to leverage new innovations [5]. Therefore, it is crucial for organizations to prioritize skills development as a core aspect of their business strategies [6].
Partnering with educational institutions, other industry skills development initiatives, technology vendors, and HR teams using human capital management technologies can also accelerate the rate at which skills become available to companies [4].
Organisations are increasing the frequency of training offered to employees, with 94% saying they offer training at least monthly [2]. Thirty-eight percent of companies surveyed said reskilling of employees is a top skills-related challenge for them in 2025, and nearly half said the same of upskilling [7]. According to a report by SAP, all companies surveyed expect the demand for AI skills to increase in 2025, with nearly half expecting a significant increase [8].
Genevieve Koolen, HR Director at SAP Africa, states that there is a near-universal need for AI-related skills among African companies this year [8]. Africa's ability to cultivate the correct skills mix for AI relies on public-private sector efforts [3].
In conclusion, African organizations are taking practical steps such as targeted training, startup support, ecosystem building, policy engagement, and inclusive governance to equip their workforce with AI-ready skills and bridge the continent’s AI skills gap [1][2][3][4]. This collective effort is essential for Africa to fully leverage the potential of AI and drive economic growth.
[1] Source: World Economic Forum [2] Source: McKinsey & Company [3] Source: CIPESA [4] Source: SAP [5] Source: McKinsey & Company [7] Source: McKinsey & Company [8] Source: SAP Newsroom
- African organizations are increasing the frequency of AI-focused training programs for their workforce to address the AI skills shortage.
- The investment in skills development and training, however, has been inadequate, with organizations allocating less than 10% of their HR or IT budgets for this purpose.
- To leverage the potential of AI and drive economic growth, organizations are partnering with educational institutions, technology vendors, and HR teams for reskilling and upskilling efforts in AI and tech-related fields.
- Inclusive AI governance, education, self-development, and technology are crucial for fostering a regional AI ecosystem and providing decent AI jobs with resources for skills development aligned with African communities.
