Technology and data are Africa’s most in-demand skills – report

JOHANN VAN NIEKERK

THE need for agility, cost flexibility and access to critical skills became increasingly important in the 2023 talent landscape. As a result, there has been a surge in demand for independent skilled talent from enterprises moving towards more agile and flexible workforce models.

Findings from on-demand global talent firm, Outsized, show that the competition for talent in Africa is intensifying - with technology-related and data skills being the most sought-after on the continent. Globally, the most popular skills were project management, strategy and digital transformation.

The 2024 Talent-on-Demand report reaffirmed 2023’s findings, as the demand for skills across these regions reflected a global shift towards a more data-informed and technology-driven business environment.

Tech and data

Africa saw another year of exceptional talent growth in 2023, with an 83% increase in freelancer registrations across regions. However, demand for talent is fierce.

The competition for talent is intensifying and companies will need to adapt internally, as well as in their external partnerships, to stay competitive.

Technology and data skills drove demand in 2023. Top tech skills included project management, business transformation, business intelligence and agile methodologies. Data analytics and engineering, business intelligence and data science led demand on the data front.

In finance-related categories, among the most in-demand skills were accounting, financial analytics, risk management and financial reporting.

In Africa in particular, we saw a shift from design and monitoring skills to project implementation. This is reflected in the strong demand for technology and data skills on specific projects, and for the change management skills supporting those projects.

Freelancing landscape

In 2023, economic challenges saw a strong focus on cost-effective, quality skills in the region - resulting in longer retention and contracts for those at the top of their fields.

We are seeing an increasing number of professionals who are transitioning to non-permanent employment for the first time, and who are looking for longer-term, well-remunerated contracts.

The report provides a breakdown of what freelancers earned in 2023, with details of the average day rates for the top 10 skills (across all regions) and the average day rate for each region. The highest day rates were earned by people with digital transformation skills, who earned an average of $392 (approximately R7 400) per day. Technology implementation and business analytics rounded out the top three highest paid skills.

Sharing this data not only creates transparency around the process, but also ensures that in the competitive skills market, both businesses and contractors are able to get the best value from the relationship.

African freelancers are among the most experienced in the four regions, with candidates having an average of 9.5 years of experience. African candidates are also earning the second highest day rate at $316 - outpacing India and Middle East and North Africa, but well below the $544 average day rate earned in Southeast Asia.

There are three main trends to watch for in 2024:

Navigating uncertainty

In the current challenging economic environment, businesses are bracing for further instability prompted by upcoming elections in several nations. This scenario underscores the growing appeal of flexible resourcing strategies. By adopting more adaptable staffing solutions, companies aim to shield themselves from the economic turbulence ahead.

Enhancing efficiency

The push towards refining operational efficiency is becoming increasingly evident across vital sectors such as finance, healthcare and education.

This trend is not only about streamlining processes, but also about augmenting performance through the acquisition of specific skill sets. As organisations strive to optimise their operations, the demand for professionals equipped with these specialised skills is set to surge.

Automation and AI

Last year marked a pivotal moment for businesses worldwide as artificial intelligence (AI) emerged as a critical area of focus.

As we progress into 2024, the momentum towards integrating automation and AI is gaining significant traction in Africa. This evolution is anticipated to fuel a burgeoning demand for expertise in fields such as cybersecurity analysis, data science and AI specialisation. These kinds of roles are essential for fostering innovation and enhancing security measures; positioning them as highly sought-after in the current job market.

* Van Niekerk is Outsized’s global CEO and MD in Africa