Future of Work: An African futures' challenge

In terms of its Trends 2016 World Employment Social Outlook the International Labour Organisation indicated that: 

“In the context of slowing emerging markets and commodity price turmoil, both Northern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa face risks of slowing progress in terms of jobs quality and productive opportunities.”

In Aspiration One of the Agenda 2063, it foresees “A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development.” With unemployment rates under young people of more than 40% in many countries, this necessitates that the future of work in Africa should be prioritized by all on the continent.

The developmental challenges being faced by Africa result in the continent facing different challenges regarding the future of work than the developing world. 

In the developing world the focus is currently on the loss of especially industrial but also service sector jobs, because of automatisation.

What would the future of work hold in where employment in service and industrial sectors remains limited and agriculture still employs a significant number of people.

According to the World Bank (2016) agriculture employs 65 percent of Africa’s labor force and accounts for 32 percent of gross domestic product. 

In the developed world the percentage of individuals employed in agriculture has decreased significantly. In the United States for example hired farm workers make up less than 1 percent of all US wage and salary workers in 2015.

In the future agriculture will probably form the backbone of labour supply but will need to be augmented by implementing so-called fourth revolution of the information age in agriculture. This fourth industrial revolution is set to radically transform the global job market. 

Innovation in agriculture would have to increase by using networking and other information related trends. Many interesting innovative solutions regarding for example hydroponics and aeroponics could hold some future promise to create employment and sustainable economic activity.

 

In order to exploit these agricultural technologies and innovations, it would require governments in Africa to:  

-    Significant improve agricultural policy and institutions. 

-    Facilitate agricultural markets and trade. 

-  Facilitate domestic and foreign investment and enhancements of     technology.

-     Invest in public infrastructure to ensure agricultural produce can be rapidly transported

Sources

Economic Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, 2016. Farm Labor

http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/farm-economy/farm-labor/background.aspx  (Accessed: 03 June 2016)

International Labour Organization, 2016. Facing the growing unemployment challenges in Africa

http://www.ilo.org/addisababa/media-centre/pr/WCMS_444474/lang--en/index.htm  (Accessed: 24 May 2016)

Nguyen, D-Q and  Jaberg, S. 2016. The mutation of the workforce has already begun, 20 May.

 http://linkis.com/www.swissinfo.ch/eng/kXocH  (Accessed: 23 May 2016)

World Bank, 2016, Fact Sheet: The World Bank and Agriculture in Africa.  

http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/AFRICAEXT/0,,contentMDK:21935583~pagePK:146736~piPK:146830~theSitePK:258644,00.html (Accessed: 03 June 2016)