Future of jobs and the Davos Forum.
By Jude Thaddeus.
"The poor of this world are not just looking for aid and handouts, they are looking for investment. Investment in people, in nature, in innovation, in partnership" — Idris Elba, World Economic Forum 2023.
The World’s business leaders, economists, policy makers, political leaders, investors and influencers alike, have just concluded yet another meeting. A meeting to discuss the global economy, and future of the occupants in it.
And as much as the tone of the meeting would inspire hope and confidence, the actions that will follow after, is what will count. But just as a recap, most of the developed Countries are looking at growth in the Months to come. China with the biggest margin at 5%. Most of the other big economies at rates between 1% to 3%.
Though, even with this projections, the fear on the nature of jobs, availability and adoptability by both employers and employees is evident.
The developed world is just coming from a period that was dubbed “the great resignation”, where workers, either laid off at the time of covid, or those who adopted to remote work, were reluctant to get back to regular jobs. A time that proved a headache to employers. As if that is not enough, employers are still finding it a challenge to retain talent. Talent that seems to be always on the move.
Again, 2023 has kicked off with many companies, mostly in the tech space, laying off workers globally. Whereas this cannot be directly pegged on the rise of artificial intelligence, and the fear of tech replacing humans at the work place - as some quarters might suggest, such layoffs can then be attributed to the normal downsizing in times of economic uncertainties. Even at household level, during economic hardships, the most prudent thing to do is to cut on consumption, or find affordable alternatives.
In consequence, as stakeholders are still trying to figure out how 2023 will turn out, and how the World will look like, there, there’s Africa.
Oh Africa, my motherland!
At the World stage, Africa still remains as that unemployed sibling surviving on handouts. Their next meal is either dependent on another siblings philanthropy, or from a wage paid after running an errand here and there. A relationship that is very risky. Especially at times when even the employed siblings are not sure of their jobs tomorrow.
And that is what is facing the world today. As the big economies continue to grapple with own futures, Africa, and the global south, remain exposed.
Jobs in the global south.
Africa has been and still is, trying really hard to shake off this unemployed sibling tag by trying to have a stake at the global stage. Africa, wants to trade. She wants to earn her seat at the table, and not just be an afterthought through handouts. Trade and investment was clearly reiterated at Davos by Tanzania’s President Madam Samia Suluhu.
And also, by Idris Elba and his wife Sabrina Dhowre at a panel discussion. The two being of Sierra Leone and Somali heritage respectively - and UN goodwill ambassadors.
Whereas as the global north are looking at re-skilling, finding a work - life balance, and improving the quality of life in a fast digitizing world, the global south are just trying to survive. They can’t talk much about re-skilling. Majority still survive on low skill wages. And some, even travel to far away Countries to offer the same. Quite a few can pride themselves in being in advanced skills.
So when it comes to the question of re-skilling, Africa has to be very intentional with the sectors in which it has immense potential - and invest in them. Is it agriculture? Is it manufacturing? Is it entertainment? And incorporate the same into the education system. Creating a knowledgeable mass of professionals and workers, who are not just working to earn a living, but using the same work to catapult the Continent to the World stage.
Only then, can she push for her weight to be felt, and her voice heard.
It will be a gross injustice, moving forward, for African leaders to continue wasting the talent, acumen and zeal of its youthful population in low skill wages in the name of survival, or in outright unemployment, at a time when the rest of the World is moving to the next stage. The stage of quality work, the stage of increased job awareness, and the stage where old work cultures are being substituted by new human centered cultures.
Obligation of the global north.
In so far as Africa’s growth is intertwined with the rest of the World, it is prudent to analyse the global north’s actions or inactions and the attached consequences.
Much of Africa’s expansion, and new jobs will still largely be dependent on her interaction with the outside world. For instance, the question on debt. Africa seems to be tied in a web of what looks like predatory lending. Whatever revenue she raises, instead of dedicating the same to the creation of jobs and wealth, most end up in an unending cycle of debt repayment.
The global north, if indeed it is honest in holding the global south’s hand, must relook at her loan / debt arrangements. And the strings attached.
The crop of African leaders can be seen to be corrupt - but their greed and plunder, is equally facilitated by the global north.
Talking about how the global north needs to fund the south is not enough. Sealing the loopholes of where wealth is being lost from, is equally paramount. The lost wealth can be used to create sustainable jobs for Africans.
What Africa must then do, in creating jobs for the future - apart from identifying the critical sectors they must invest in - is to hold their leadership to account. The future remains a function of sound governance.
At the moment, the Continent is full of qualified, skilled, and talented youth, who form the bulk of the workforce. But the challenge remains opportunities that must be created. And these opportunities can only be created through steadfast leadership and sound governance structures.
It won’t matter how many of the African leaders attend the high profile economic meetings, without the said committed and steadfast leadership, the difference remains the same.
And to the global north again, it won’t matter how many of the high profile meetings are organized, without committment to action, and deliberate move to rid off enablers that are making the global south underperform and less productive, the difference equally remains the same.
In my interaction with especially African youth, I see a people determined to succeed. I see a people determined to create a better world for themselves and their surrounding. I see a people, flexible, adoptable, resilient, and smart enough to learn on the go. I see a people ready to face and challenge the future.
Time is running out. The future is just here with us.
About the author:
Jude Thaddeus is an Entrepreneur, a Sociopolitical Commentator / Strategist, Author, and Team Lead @ Brave Politics.
