The Project Management Institute (PMI)  has said that by 20250, Africa’s young workforce will be one of the most powerful economic forces globally, bridging labour gaps in aging economies.

In a statement made available to the media,George Asamani, Managing Director, Project Management Institute, Sub-Saharan Africa said, “Africa is the cradle of humanity and it is once again, shaping the future, this time, as the cradle of skills.”

“The continent is home to the youngest population in the world, a demographic trend that stands in stark contrast to the aging and shrinking workforces in regions such as Europe, North America, and parts of Asia,” he stated.

He, however, warned that to maximise this advantage, Africa must urgently invest in education, skills development, and strategic workforce planning to ensure its talent is valued globally.

According to the PMI boss, “This must happen in a world where innovation is accelerating, redefining industries and economies, yet disruption—both technological and political—threatens stability.”

“Without coordinated efforts, the continent risks missing out on a defining era—one that could determine whether its young workforce thrives or remains underutilised in a world that desperately needs its talent,” he warned.

The Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum (WEF) highlights the shifting nature of work, emphasising the rising demand for skills in technology, engineering, artificial intelligence (AI), and project management, all areas where Africa’s young workforce can thrive if equipped with the right skills.

The report said, “One of Africa’s greatest challenges is not just unemployment, but a skills mismatch—where graduates enter the job market with qualifications that no longer align with industry needs.

This gap emerges because, by the time universities award degrees, three to four years have passed, long enough for industries to evolve, technologies to advance, and employer demands to shift,” report further revealed.

As a result, many graduates find themselves lacking the latest skills, not because their education was inadequate, but because the world moved forward faster than their curriculum”.

To address the challenges, Asamani stated that “Higher education must evolve. Universities must expand beyond traditional degrees to include industry-aligned training, professional certifications, and skills-based learning that prepare students for the real world.

He said this presents a unique opportunity for universities to enhance their relevance by partnering with organisations to offer globally recognised certifications to students before they graduate.