‘Africa must stop being an afterthought in global talent market’

Michael Alasa is the chief executive officer of Blakskill Limited. In this interview with JOSEPHINE OKOJIE, he spoke about the African talent market and how businesses can unlock the continent’s youth potential.

Why is youth unemployment and empowerment such a critical issue for Africa?

Africa is home to the youngest population in the world, with over 60 percent of its people under 25. This is an unprecedented opportunity, but also a glaring problem. Our youth are ready to lead but are trapped in a system that offers them little chance to thrive.

Across the continent, young people are unemployed, underemployed, and increasingly leaving for better opportunities abroad. Why? Because we haven’t made the effort to give them a reason to stay.

How many more will we lose before we wake up to the cost of neglecting them? This isn’t just a missed opportunity but a crisis eroding Africa’s potential.

What exactly needs to change to empower youth in 2025?

We need a fundamental shift in how we view and treat our youth. We cannot keep relying on the same tired solutions. Governments must focus on applicable education, skills development, and opportunities that link youth to the global economy.

The time for empty promises is over because Africa needs to build ecosystems that empower youth to participate in the global economy, not just the local one.

Are we willing to make the tough choices to bring our youth into the 21st century, or will we continue to let them fall behind?

At Blakskill, platforms like BlakGlobal and BlakRemote are part of the solution in connecting African youth with global job markets and giving them access to the tools they need to succeed.

But our platforms alone can’t fix a broken system. We need action from all governments, businesses, institutions and youths.

Why should African leaders make youth empowerment a top priority?

This is not just a social issue but a matter of survival for Africa’s future. Countries that embrace their youth as their future are thriving. If we do not invest in our youth, we will remain stagnant.

How many more generations will we allow to suffer from unemployment, brain drain, and a lack of opportunity?

The time to act is now and African leaders must stop paying lip service to youth issues and start creating real policies that open global opportunities for young Africans.

The future of the continent depends on whether we will prioritise youth. Will we keep waiting for a change that never comes, or will we lead it?

How can African businesses contribute to unlocking the potential of youth?

African businesses must wake up to the reality of today’s global economy. The world is digital, remote, and increasingly interconnected businesses that continue to cling to old ways will be left behind. It’s no longer enough to hire locally; businesses must invest in building the talent pool, offering competitive pay, and embracing remote work to access African youth on a global scale.

How many businesses will continue to limit themselves by staying local when they can tap into a global talent pool? How many more will ignore Africa’s best and brightest? The question is not whether we should, however, it’s whether we will.

Blakskill’s platforms, BlakGlobal and BlakRemote, allow African businesses to directly tap into global markets, access skilled remote talent, and give youth the opportunities they deserve. But businesses must do more than just use platforms. They must change how they view African talent.

What do African youth need to do to create their future?

The most important thing African youth can do is stop waiting for opportunities to come to them. The world is digital, and visibility is everything. Youth must create their presence, develop the skills that are in demand, and make themselves visible to the global market.

How many young Africans are content to remain in their comfort zones, waiting for opportunities to appear? How many will choose to step up, build their brand, and make themselves indispensable? The global economy is full of opportunities but only for those who put in the work to be seen.

Platforms like BlakGlobal are here to connect youth to international employers, but it’s the youth who must take the first step and invest in their futures. Will you choose to make your mark on the world? Or will you fade into the background as others claim the opportunities that should be yours?

How is Blakskill contributing to this transformation?

At Blakskill, we are committed to creating pathways for African youth to succeed in the global economy. Our platforms, BlakGlobal and BlakRemote, are designed to connect African talent to international job markets, offering access to remote work and global opportunities.

But our role doesn’t stop there. Through BlakAcademy, we are here to equip youth with mentorship, skills development, and networking opportunities to ensure they don’t just get a job, but a career.

We are investing in youth, not just technology, however, we cannot do it alone. The real power lies with governments, businesses, institutions, and youths to make this vision a reality by taking action today and not waiting until tomorrow to wish things were different.

What will it take to turn Africa into the global talent hub of the future?

The time to act is now. Africa’s youth are ready to lead, but they can’t do it alone. We need to invest in the systems, the policies, and the platforms that will allow them to excel. The global economy is changing, and if we don’t keep up, we will be left behind.

Africa must stop being an afterthought in the global talent market. We must show the world that Africa is the place to find the talent that will shape and secure the future.

Africa’s youth are not just the future, they are the present. The next generation is ready to lead, to innovate and to create opportunities for Africa. But it’s up to us, governments, Institutions, businesses, and youths to create the environment they need to succeed. We cannot afford to wait any longer.