A large number of skilled professionals in Africa are set to experience significant changes in their core skills over the next five years due to economic shifts, digital transformation, and evolving job requirements. Businesses, governments, and workers must prepare to adapt to maintain productivity and economic growth.
Across five key African economies, technological advancements are reshaping the job market. Employers and policymakers must collaborate to provide opportunities for reskilling and upskilling. Digital learning platforms, vocational training, and government-led initiatives will be crucial in preparing professionals for future workforce demands.
Failure to adapt could lead to job losses, reduced productivity, and economic stagnation. Investing in continuous learning and professional development will help African countries build a resilient workforce capable of navigating the evolving job market.
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The assessment is based on a survey conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF) involving “1,000 leading global employers across 55 economies.” The WEF’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 examines how macro developments may impact employment and skills.
According to the report, the following occupations will be in great demand: “UI and UX designers, data analysts and scientists, information security analysts, DevOps engineers, environmental engineers, AI and machine learning specialists, and fintech engineers, amongst others.” In contrast, “jobs such as clerks, bank tellers, stock-keeping clerks, door-to-door sales workers, and executive secretaries, are already on the decline and projected to become more obsolete.”
“According to the surveyed executives, the fastest growing job roles by 2030, in percentage terms, tend to be driven by technological developments, such as advancements in AI and robotics and increasing digital access,” the report states.
As job roles evolve, many existing skills will face disruption by 2030. “Despite current uncertainty around the long-term impact of generative AI, the expected ongoing pace of disruption of skills has begun to stabilize, albeit at a high level. Overall, employers expect 39% of workers’ core skills to change by 2030,” the report notes. “While this represents significant ongoing skill disruption, it is down from 44% in 2023. One element contributing to this finding may be a growing focus on continuous learning, upskilling and reskilling programmes, enabling companies to better anticipate and manage future skill requirements.”
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The report highlights a growing emphasis on training, with an increasing share of the workforce engaging in long-term learning. “This is reflected in an increasing share of the workforce (50%) having completed training as part of long-term learning strategies compared to 2023 (41%) – a finding that is consistent across almost all industries,” the report adds.
With the right strategies, Africa’s skilled professionals can remain competitive in the fast-changing global economy.
According to The Future Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum, here are the top 5 African countries at risk of losing the most skilled professionals
1. Egypt – 48%
Egypt has the highest percentage of skilled professionals at risk, with 48% of workers expected to experience changes in their core skills. The rapid advancement of technology, the shift towards automation, and an evolving global economy are key factors. Sectors such as finance, manufacturing, and information technology are undergoing transformations, requiring workers to reskill to remain competitive.
The government has introduced several initiatives, including digital upskilling programmes and partnerships with private sector companies to bridge the skills gap. However, challenges remain in ensuring accessibility to training for all professionals.
2. Zimbabwe – 48%
Zimbabwe has an equal share of skilled workers facing a shift in core skills, standing at 48%. Economic challenges and evolving job requirements are driving this change. Many professionals in finance, healthcare, and engineering sectors are required to update their skills to match global standards.
Efforts to address this issue include increased investment in digital education and vocational training. However, economic constraints and limited infrastructure pose challenges to large-scale skill development.
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3. Nigeria – 41%
Nigeria ranks third, with 41% of its skilled workforce expected to face changes in core skills. The country’s growing technology, finance, and service industries require workers to adapt to automation and digital transformation.
The government and private sector are investing in skill-building initiatives, including coding boot camps, financial literacy programmes, and vocational training. Many professionals are seeking international certifications to stay relevant in a competitive job market. Despite these efforts, access to quality education and training remains a concern for a significant portion of the workforce.
4. Morocco – 37%
Morocco has 37% of its skilled professionals at risk due to changing job market demands. The country’s economy is diversifying, with increasing focus on digital transformation and industrial growth. Workers in manufacturing, tourism, and financial services are required to enhance their skills to align with evolving industry standards.
Government programmes and private-sector investments in education and training aim to address this issue. Online learning platforms and vocational courses are becoming more popular, allowing professionals to acquire new skills while working. However, ensuring equal access to training across all regions remains a challenge.
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5. South Africa – 36%
South Africa has 36% of its skilled workforce expected to experience changes in their core skills over the next five years. The financial sector, information technology, and engineering industries are undergoing significant transformations, requiring professionals to adapt to new technologies and industry trends.
The government and private sector are working to enhance digital literacy and vocational training through public-private partnerships. However, the challenge of unemployment and economic inequality makes skill development difficult for many professionals.
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