Human Capital Development: Shaping the Future of Human Capital in Africa
Africa’s future hinges on its greatest asset: its people. Human capital development is more than just a buzzword; it’s a pathway to unlocking Africa’s full potential. During AACOSE 7, leading voices from education and social enterprises across the continent gathered to explore how Africa can nurture and leverage its talent to drive sustainable growth. Moderated by Dr. Evelyn Jepkemei, this session brought together insights from experts across various sectors to shed light on key strategies shaping the future of human capital development in Africa.
Perspectives
Mr. Mike Korir from Verb Education emphasized that fully believing in the people, especially the youth, is essential for growth. He urged organizations to assign more responsibilities to young talent, stating, “To see the youth grow, they need to be given responsibilities.”
Mr. Owen Muzambi from South Africa’s Gold Youth highlighted the complex process of building human capital, which encompasses formal, informal and non-formal education. Mr. Muzambi also pointed out that the broken education system has led to widespread youth unemployment. His organization uses peer education to build change-makers, noting that “Education is key to human capital development, but the system is broken.”
From Social Enterprise Ethiopia, Ruth Yohannes discussed solutions for human capital development and talent acquisition, including skills development, job creation and youth employment; and also emphasized the need for impactful actions, stating “we have to emphasize the need for impact”
Dr. Neoline Kirabo from Uganda’s Kyusa introduced a unique virtual learning space designed by Africans, for Africans, to equip young people with marketable skills. She underscored the value of informal education in reaching those marginalized by formal systems, while also pointing out that employers seek competence, and formal education is not the only pathway.
Meanwhile, Jane Thiong’o, CEO of Alive and Kicking Zambia, argued for recruitment strategies that focus on talent and transferable skills over formal education, advocating for storytelling to promote the human element in development.
Key Takeaways
- Belief in Youth Potential: Youth are the bedrock of Africa’s future, and organizations must believe in their capabilities, providing them with meaningful responsibilities.
- Broken Education Systems: The formal education system in many African countries is failing to meet the demands of today’s job market, contributing to youth unemployment and issues like substance abuse.
- Impact of Peer Education: Peer education models are proven to be powerful in building leadership and creating youth change-makers, impacting over 30,000 young people.
- Holistic Learning: Combining formal education with informal and non-formal learning experiences, such as social media and family mentoring, builds well-rounded individuals.
- Virtual Learning Spaces: Platforms offering non-academic certificates and diplomas are crucial for developing skills that align with market demands, particularly for school dropouts.
- Competence over Credentials: Employers are increasingly seeking competence, rather than formal qualifications, as the key to employability.
- Storytelling in Social Enterprises: Social enterprises need to better communicate their impact by incorporating storytelling into their strategies.
Action Points
- Believe in People: Organizations should fully trust in their employees’ capabilities and assign responsibilities that foster growth, particularly for the youth.
- Diversify Learning Models: Develop education programs that blend formal, informal, and non-formal learning experiences to cater to diverse needs.
- Support Peer Education: Expand initiatives that utilize peer education to empower youth as leaders and change-makers.
- Invest in Virtual Learning: Encourage investment in virtual learning platforms that offer accessible, skill-focused certifications to meet market demands.
- Align with Market Demands: Ensure that education systems focus on building competencies that employers’ value, rather than merely issuing formal qualifications.
- Strengthen Partnerships: Collaborate with governments, private companies, and non-profits to build holistic human capital development strategies.
- Prioritize Competence: Shift recruitment strategies to prioritize talent and skills over academic degrees.
- Storytelling as Strategy: Incorporate storytelling into organizational strategies to effectively communicate impact and celebrate the value of human talent.
SHOWCASE
Wambui Nganga – SOMA Siri, Kenya
Wambui Nganga of SOMA Siri, Kenya, emphasized talent-led innovation for social impact by focusing on areas of gifting and talents, promoting strong areas rather than weak ones. They use data-led skilling to address evidence-based skill gaps, targeting skilling efforts early by starting with children. SOMA Siri plans to leverage technology to scale their impact and explore the role of research in community engagements.
Dr. Zipporah Muiruri – Tangaza University
Dr. Zipporah MBA, Coordinator of Social Entrepreneurship & Sustainability at Tangaza University, highlighted the MBA program, which is the only one in social entrepreneurship in Kenya and East Africa. This program teaches students how to resolve social problems through entrepreneurship, focusing on business solutions that are not aimed at profit maximization or wealth accumulation. The program employs competency-based education, where knowledge is applied practically through social entrepreneurship. Looking forward, Dr. Zipporah calls for forging collaborations in training and scaling the practice of documentation.
Conclusion
The future of Africa lies in its people, and unlocking that potential requires bold strategies, innovative learning models, and a commitment to nurturing talent. By rethinking how we approach human capital development—focusing on competence, embracing virtual learning, and investing in youth—we can shape a brighter, more prosperous future for the continent. Let’s continue to build Africa’s human capital, one story, one skill, and one opportunity at a time.
