Vocational and technical skills are pivotal for economic transformation and social development in Africa. These skills focus on equipping individuals with practical, job-oriented expertise that directly addresses the needs of industries, fostering a capable workforce ready to tackle challenges in sectors such as manufacturing, construction, agriculture, and technology.
In a global context where talent competition is intensifying, such skills empower African nations to remain competitive by fostering innovation, boosting productivity, and attracting foreign investment.
The global narrative on technology and automation often suggests job displacement, but history has shown otherwise. For instance, innovations like ATMs and email initially raised fears of widespread unemployment.
However, these technologies instead reshaped labour markets, enabling workers to focus on more complex tasks and creating new roles.
Similarly, the rise of automation and digital technologies in Africa presents an opportunity to rethink vocational training to align with the demands of emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, green energy, and advanced manufacturing.
These programs focus on hands-on learning, ensuring that graduates can contribute meaningfully to their communities and the economy. For rapidly industrializing areas, such training is a cornerstone for building a skilled labour force capable of driving technological advancements and sustaining economic growth.
Despite its potential, vocational and technical training is not uniformly developed across the continent. Some regions have made significant progress in creating accessible and industry-relevant training programs, while others grapple with systemic hurdles.
The Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) ranks Mauritius as the top African nation in vocational and technical skills, achieving a 54.09% rating. Egypt follows in second place with 52.35%, while Mauritania takes third with 40.2%.
Below are the top 10 African countries with the best vocational and technical skills:
| Rank | Country | Skills Percentage |
|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Mauritius |
54.09% |
|
2 |
Egypt |
52.35% |
|
3 |
Mauritania |
40.2% |
|
4 |
Zimbabwe |
39.45% |
|
5 |
Ghana |
39.34% |
|
6 |
Benin |
39.08% |
|
7 |
Kenya |
38.84% |
|
8 |
Namibia |
38.74% |
|
9 |
South Africa |
38.2% |
|
10 |
Zambia |
37.5% |
