The need for agility, cost flexibility and access to critical skills has become increasingly important in the 2023 talent landscape.
As a result, Outsized, an on-demand talent platform operating in Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific, has seen an increase in demand for independent specialist talent from businesses moving to more agile and flexible workforce models.
Findings from the third annual Talent-On-Demand report, based on proprietary data collected by Outsized’s platform, show that competition for talent in Africa is intensifying, with technology and data-related skills being the most wanted on the continent. Globally, the most popular skills were project management, strategy and digital transformation.
Outsized specializes in providing full-time, independent (or freelance) professionals across a range of industries, including consulting, banking, insurance and other sectors, across Africa, MENA and APAC.
The Talent-on-Demand 2024 report shows that the demand for skills in these areas reflects a global shift towards a more data-informed and technology-driven business environment.
As a result, project management, strategy consulting, digital transformation, business analytics and technology implementation were among the most in-demand skills across all regions where Outsized operated in 2023.
Africa’s top skills in 2023
Africa experienced another year of exceptional talent growth in 2023, with an 83% increase in freelancer registrations across all regions. But the demand for talent is strong.
“Competition for talent is intensifying and companies will need to adapt internally and in their external partnerships to remain competitive.” says Johann van Niekerk, Global CEO and MD Africa for Outsized.
Technology and data skills increased demand in 2023. Top technology skills included project management, business transformation, business intelligence and agile methodologies. On the data front, data analytics, engineering, business intelligence and data science led the demand.
![Tech and data are Africa's most in-demand skills - 2024 In-Demand Talent Oversize Report Top skills in demand](https://techbuild.africa/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Top-skills-in-demand.jpg)
![Tech and data are Africa's most in-demand skills - 2024 In-Demand Talent Oversize Report Top skills in demand](https://techbuild.africa/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Top-skills-in-demand.jpg)
In finance-related categories, accounting, financial analysis, risk management and financial reporting were among the most in-demand skills.
“In Africa in particular, we’ve seen a shift from planning and monitoring skills to project delivery, which is reflected in strong demand for technology and data skills working on projects, and the change management skills that support those projects.” says van Niekerk.
The landscape for freelancers in Africa
In 2023, economic challenges have placed a strong emphasis on cost-effective, quality skills in the region, resulting in greater retention and contracts for those at the top of their fields.
“We are seeing an increasing number of professionals moving into non-permanent employment for the first time, who are looking for long-term, well-paid contracts.” says van Niekerk.
The report provides a breakdown of what freelancers earned in 2023, detailing the average daily rates for the top ten skills (across all regions) and the average daily rate for each region.
The highest daily rates were earned by people with digital transformation skills, who earned an average of $392 (about R37400) per day. Technology implementation and business analytics rounded out the top three highest-paying skills.
“Sharing this data not only creates transparency around the process, but ensures that in the competitive skills market, both businesses and contractors can get the best value from the relationship.” says van Niekerk.
African freelancers are among the most experienced across the four regions covered by Outsized, with candidates having an average of 9.5 years of experience. African candidates also earn the second highest daily rate at $316, ahead of India and MENA, and below the average daily rate of $544 earned in Southeast Asia.
The average day rate, however, is affected by the relative distribution in each region between higher and lower paying skills, as well as the talent’s average experience.
Three business and skills trends in Africa to watch in 2024:
Navigating economic uncertainty
In the current difficult economic environment, businesses are preparing for further volatility caused by the upcoming elections in many nations.
This scenario highlights the increasing attractiveness of flexible resource strategies. By adopting more adaptable staffing solutions, companies aim to protect themselves from the economic turbulence ahead.
Enhancing operational efficiency
The drive to improve operational efficiency is increasingly evident in vital sectors such as finance, healthcare and education.
This trend is not only about streamlining processes but also increasing efficiency through the acquisition of specific skill sets.
As organizations strive to optimize their operations, the demand for professionals with these specialized skills is expected to increase.
Africa’s leap towards automation and innovation
2023 marked a pivotal moment for businesses around the world as Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged as a critical area of focus.
As we move towards 2024, the momentum towards the integration of automation and artificial intelligence is gaining significant traction in Africa.
This development is expected to fuel a growing demand for expertise in areas such as cybersecurity analysis, data science and artificial intelligence expertise.
These roles are important in driving innovation and strengthening security measures, placing them in high demand in the current job market.
To access the full Talent On-Demand 2024 report, visit Talent on Demand 2024 Report.
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