Three In-Demand Jobs in Africa in 2022

While the pandemic disrupted the job market in Africa, the good news is that hiring activity is showing a positive trend across sectors and industries. Planning ahead for your career is vital whether you have just completed your Grade 12 exams, are considering obtaining a University degree, or are looking for a job. Knowing what jobs and skills are in demand in 2022 will help you determine which path is right for you and acquire the relevant skills and qualifications.

Digital Skills and Technology

A study by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) reveals that digital skills will continue to be in high demand over the next decade. According to the study, more than 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will need digital skills ranging from basic software and web research skills to advanced skills in artificial intelligence and data science.

In the technology sector, the jobs in demand include

• Artificial Intelligence – Apart from different programming languages such as Java and Python, the skills you need in this job include deep learning architectures, Natural Language Processing, Machine Learning, and data science.
• Data science -With businesses increasingly leveraging data to gain insights and make informed decisions, data scientists are in high demand for 2022 and beyond. If you want to be a data scientist, you need to develop your skills related to statistics, mathematics, AI, machine learning, and analytics.
• Cybersecurity -Protecting systems against security threats such as malware, virus, and hacking will continue to be a top priority for businesses in Africa. To succeed in this career, some of the key skills you need include computer forensics, data encryption, analytics, and coding.
• Cloud computing -Cloud platforms are increasingly being used with data stored on the cloud instead of physical servers. While 84 per cent of African businesses believe cloud computing is cost-effective, investment in cloud technologies is expected to increase in 2022.
• Software development -Since 2020, there has been a significant increase in demand for software and programming skills in Africa. Software developers write code, test, analyse user requirements, and research new computer systems and software programs.

Business Management

Businesses in Africa are looking for skilled candidates with strong leadership skills and experience in driving business recovery in the post-covid era. Compared to 2020, recruitment for middle and senior management roles increased significantly in 2021. According to one estimate, the demand for middle management jobs has grown by 76 per cent in 2021.

Department level mid-managers and senior managers across these sectors will continue to be in demand in 2022:

• Banking and finance
• Engineering and manufacturing
• Building and construction
• Medical and health
• Warehousing and logistics

Engineering and Manufacturing

Engineering and manufacturing jobs feature in the list of in-demand jobs for 2022 in Africa. Right from mechanical, civil, structural, electronics, mining, materials to electrical engineers, the demand for various categories of engineers is set to grow in the coming years. Some of the job titles in demand include:

1. Project director
2. Head of engineering
3. Product supervisor
4. Quality control manager
5. Environment manager
6. Infrastructure engineer