In this special edition of the People First Podcast, we explore the challenges and opportunities shaping the job market in Western and Central Africa. We have gathered the voices of young people from the region, who share their visions and aspirations for quality employment.
We will examine what quality employment means to them, their expectations, and their proposals to invigorate the job market. Join us on a journey through their challenges and discover how they plan to stand out in the workforce.
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Rama George: Hello and welcome to People First, the podcast from the World Bank that brings you stories and voices from Western and Central Africa. I'm your host, Rama George. Today, we're talking about jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa.
By 2050, Africa will be the only major region with a growing working-age population, more than doubling to 1.3 billion people – that’s 700 million more people from today.
The youth population will also increase by 80%. By then, globally, 1 in 3 youth will be African. Creating enough jobs for everyone will for sure be challenging.
This task is particularly difficult in Western and Central Africa, where informal employment dominates, representing over 80% of jobs. Critical sectors such as mining, energy, and agriculture, but also health and education face challenges in finding qualified personnel.
Earlier this month, we asked our young listeners to tell us what having a job means to them and why. Many of you answered our call and we’re so pleased to feature your voices, aspirations, and hopes on this special episode.
To keep the pace of a growing population, African countries will need to create 1.5 million new jobs per month. Yes, you heard it right. This means 2.3 million jobs by 2055.
The good news is that creating more and better jobs is at the heart of everything the World Bank Group does, by helping countries invest in education, infrastructure, healthcare and food security; strengthen governance and business-enabling policies; and mobilize private capital.
Starting with the education sector, it has launched several programs in Western and Central Africa to help young people develop important skills.
In Northern Nigeria, the 'Gina Mata, Gina Al-Umma' program provides girls and young women with both theoretical and practical digital skills, to help them generate income where traditional job opportunities are limited. Meaning “Building Women, Empowering Communities” in Hausa, the program targets vulnerable groups including those in Internally Displaced Persons camps, survivors of gender-based violence, and young women facing economic hardship. So far, it has trained over 1,200 young women across six states, with many of them securing full-time jobs.
We spoke with Joseph, who is a teacher from Ghana. He shared so much enthusiasm about his profession. Let’s hear.
Joseph Baah: As a teacher, a good job is the passion for us to get up and go and make impact, put knowledge in the young ones who will be the future. A good job gives us passion, comfort, security. Teachers and students need to get teaching and learning materials which will help them. It should be accessible to everybody who is of school going age, especially in the rural areas. When you wake up in the morning, you should be passionate about making an impact on the younger generation. Back in Ghana, we say as a teacher, your road is in heaven. When I graduated, I had opportunity of becoming a teacher and I was so happy that young ones will be impacted by what I was doing.
Teaching or education sector will also be a fine opportunity to explore. In that way, you don't even get stuck at one side, you get to open up because teaching is something that cuts across all fields in the corporate world. So that was what inspired me to stay in the education sector for 10 years.
Rama George: Aside from education, other sectors promise to offer job opportunities on a large scale. These are in infrastructure and energy (such as the Mission 300 initiative with the African Development Bank and other partners), but also in agribusiness, health care, tourism, and value-added manufacturing.
The private sector being the largest contributor to jobs in Africa, supporting entrepreneurs and businesses will be essential.
In Sierra Leone, the firm Pee Cee is transforming onion farming, job creation, and food security with the support from the IFC, our private sector arm. Through this partnership, the company has 10x higher yields; created more than 200 seasonal jobs; invested in schools, clinics, and in the communities. And now, both the IFC and Pee Cee are taking things to the next level, with a loan to scale up operations.
With that, Peggie shared her view on what a good job should do.
Peggie N Kai: I have come to realize that a good job also offers purpose and growth. In Africa, when one million people are entering the workforce on a regular basis, a good job should empower individuals to support themselves. It should contribute to our communities. A good job should feel [inaudible] in society. It should respect workers and offer safe conditions. It should create a pathway for their advancement. It is a foundation for hope, for self-reliance in the long-term development.
Rama George: Tourism and hospitality are also important for the economy in Sub-Saharan Africa. They help bring in money from other countries and create millions of jobs. By 2033, this industry could provide more than 18 million jobs. MIGA, the World Bank Group’s guarantee platform, is supporting 17 hotel projects across 7 countries.
Making sure that Africa's youth have access to jobs presents a major game-changing opportunity, especially with the advent of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (or AI). This is vital for the continent's economic and social development.
We spoke with Darlington Akogo, the founder and CEO of Mino Health, an AI Healthtech company in Ghana. Here is what he shared with us.
Darlington Akogo: In the health sector, doctors are supermen and super women. They’ve dedicated their lives to saving others’ lives. Using AI currently, it’s a medical assistant, it works with the supervision of health workers. We need to get to a point where the AI system becomes even better. On the plus side, there are places in the world like Malawi where there is 1 doctor for every 50,000 people. Having an AI system that can be trusted to do a good job will save lives. But what is the implication for other places where we have millions of health workers?
We need to have this bridge where the AI system [does more of] what its good at – analyzing and improving health, then the doctors would ensure that everything runs smoothly. There’s still a place for doctors but what we need to redefine what it means. We can never have enough of human connection. Having a doctor bringing that human connection is very essential. Doctors are usually overwhelmed and stressed, so the human connection element drops off as stress increases. If we can trust AI systems to do screening, diagnostics, treatment planning and everything else, then we can have doctors establish more human touch with patients.
Rama George: Yes, digital accessibility is also key, as Umar points out.
Umar Muazu: For me, a good job is more than just an income. It represents dignity, respect, inclusion, autonomy and equal opportunities. A good job affirms my values as a capable contributor and not someone who should be sidelined or pitied. A good job ensures that the physical, digital and attitudinal environment is accessible. This includes assistive devices, flexible working hours, and understanding from my colleagues that I am performing my best, without barriers….
Rama George: How do we REALLY land that amazing job?
Susan Omeh has some ideas.
Susan Omeh: Simply meeting the criteria is no longer enough. The candidates who rise to the top are the ones who show excellence, innovation, and a clear personal brand. They are remarkable, not just qualified. They bring value that is [inaudible], skills that are relevant and a mindset that is adaptable. This could be through leadership, grades or through resilience. They set themselves apart. So, if you’re aiming for a good job in Africa, focus on not just being competent. But on being compelling. Be the one they remember.
Rama George: According to Nathaniel Balhah, it also takes innovation and creativity.
Nathaniel Ballah: I can confidently say that a secret ingredient to getting a good job is being more creative, innovative, or inventive. Your innovations will show you into a better working space, where the world needs you. It will provide an ambiance where you feel needed the most.
Rama George: But we took advice from the experts in the field. We spoke with Hilda Nimo-Tieku who is the Managing Director of Jobberman Ghana, a company that connects qualified candidates with verified employers. She shared this perspective when we asked her what the secret ingredient to a good job is.
Hilda Nimo-Tieku: If I had to name one, it will be intentionality. In today’s African job markets, there are opportunities that are out there, but you have to be deliberate. Be intentional about what you want, how you prepare, the skills required, and how you present yourself. Networking and continuous adaptability are also critical. So, to every young African listening, don’t just job hunt, be strategic. Know your strength, build your personal brand and don’t just wait for the perfect opportunity. Create it!
Rama George: You’ve heard it. Landing a good job is about being intentional, being distinct, building your own brand, and networking.
As we wrap up, Danielle sums up what a good job should be like.
Tongue Kandeu Danielle: To me, a good job is one that brings pride, not just to you but to those who raised you. I remember that my mother ran a small store. Every shelf, every item carefully arranged, every coin accounted for. Her work was honest, relentless and full of heart. Watching her I learned that landing a good job is not luxury. It is about stability, dignity and a chance to build something of your own. Her work didn’t come with applause but it came with purpose.
A good job means waking up and knowing you’re building something that matters to yourself and to others. It is not about titles. It’s about having freedom to dream, to grow, to stand tall without compromising who you really are. It supports your future without erasing your past. My mom’s strength taught me that a good work isn’t just what you do, it’s what you become through it.
Rama George: I'm Rama George, and you've been listening to a special episode of the People First podcast featuring the views and aspirations of young people from across Western and Central Africa about jobs.
On behalf of the production team, thank you for taking part in our call for ideas on this topic. We truly enjoyed listening to all of you. While this episode is coming to an end we will be back, to feature many more voices.
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Join us next time for another episode of People First. On behalf of the production team, thank you again for listening.
About People First Podcast
People First Podcast provides a human angle to concrete development topics as they affect people in Western and Central Africa. It also features World Bank project and initiatives. Join us for a sustainable and inclusive development!
About World Bank Group
The World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of funding and knowledge for low-income countries. Its five institutions share a commitment to reducing poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development.