A recent report from FSD Africa, a leading development organization, projects a significant boost in job creation through the burgeoning green economy in Africa. According to Shortlist and FSD Africa, with analysis from a Boston Consulting Group study titled Forecasting Green Jobs in Africa, Africa could see the creation of over 3.3 million direct jobs by 2030 as the continent accelerates its transition towards sustainable economic practices.
This potential boom is expected to be driven by various sectors, including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and waste management, with the majority in the renewable energy sector, particularly solar, positioning Africa as a pivotal player in the global green economy.
The study, the first in-depth analysis of workforce needs within major green value chains over the next five years, provides detailed forecasts for five focus countries, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, which together account for more than a fifth (22%) of new jobs, and in key sectors such as renewable energy, e-mobility, agriculture, construction and manufacturing.
“There is a cross-sector effort across Africa to spur employment and sustainable development,” said Mark Napier, CEO of FSD Africa, “but stakeholders lack a shared, granular understanding of where the green jobs are going to come from. This report offers a methodology for forecasting green jobs which allows us to get practical about where we need to invest to make these jobs happen.”
Based on the findings, the report also outlines key strategies required to cultivate Africa green economy job ecosystem: from targeted investments in high-potential sectors and value chains, the fostering of cross-sector collaboration among governments, private sector, educational institutions and investors, to the development of comprehensive support policies for green sectors. The report also calls for further analysis and granularity of labour demand key value chains to identify Africa’s current skilled labour supply and any potential gaps.
Significantly it predicts that 60% of the employment generated by the Africa green economy over the coming six years will be skilled or white collar in nature. Within this, 10% constitute “advanced jobs” (highly skilled, requiring university degrees to fulfil), whilst a further 30% are projected to be “specialized” (requiring certification or vocational training) and 20% will be administrative in emphasis.
“This is the first public report that takes seriously the notion that human capital and talent is important as both an input to green economic growth, and as a positive outcome – in the form of millions of new, direct jobs.” says Paul Breloff, CEO of Shortlist. “Now policymakers, and funders, and workforce developers need to step up to meet this near-term demand with effective training, apprenticeships, and job/skill matching, in hopes of achieving Africa’s green promise.”
Crucially, these job types tend to attract higher salaries and will, therefore, play a central role in spurring the growth of the middle class in countries hosting these high-growth sectors. Important also is the stability of the unskilled jobs created – which will offer ladders up the employment scale for candidates, whose employability will be enhanced by access to training and experience.
In South Africa, the green job market is expected to expand significantly, with forecasts suggesting the creation of between 85,000 and 275,000 new positions by 2030. The energy and power production sector, alongside agriculture and nature, will be the primary drivers of this growth. Notably, the solar sector is projected to contribute around 140,000 of these new jobs.
Nigeria is also set to experience substantial growth in green employment, with an estimated 60,000 to 240,000 new jobs by 2030. The aquaculture and poultry industries are expected to lead this growth, potentially creating 69,000 jobs.
Kenya is forecasted to see a similar expansion, with predictions of 40,000 to 240,000 new green jobs by the decade’s end. The solar sector is anticipated to be the primary contributor, with projections estimating it will generate 111,000 jobs. In Ethiopia, the green job market is expected to add between 30,000 and 130,000 new positions, with a strong focus on energy and power production. Hydropower generation stands out as a leading job-creating sector, with 33,000 jobs projected.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is predicted to create between 15,000 and 45,000 new green jobs by 2030, primarily in energy and power production and distribution. Hydropower is again expected to play a crucial role, potentially leading to 16,000 new jobs in the sector.
As Africa continues to grow and develop, the green economy offers a pathway to sustainable prosperity. The creation of millions of jobs in green sectors not only addresses the pressing issue of unemployment but also contributes to environmental conservation and resilience against climate change. With the right policies, investments, and commitment from all stakeholders, Africa can lead the way in building a sustainable and inclusive future.
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