Although the transition to a green economy could lead to massive job losses in the fossil fuel sector, both in Africa and other regions, it also represents a huge potential for creating skilled and stable jobs for the continent's youth in multiple economic sectors

According to a report published at the end of July by FSD Africa, a development agency funded by the UK government, and the human resources consultancy Shortlist, the green economy could generate between 1.5 and 3.3 million direct jobs in Africa by 2030. This would occur in the continent's twelve most advanced sub-sectors, such as solar energy, the manufacturing of electric two- and three-wheeled vehicles, and climate-smart agricultural technologies. The report, titled « Forecasting Green Jobs in Africa »It only considered five sectors in which African countries have already reached a certain level of maturity: energy and electricity, mobility and transport, agriculture and nature, construction and real estate, and manufacturing and materials.

The selected sectors were prioritized due to the continent's comparative advantages and their high potential for job creation in the short term. They were divided into twelve advanced sub-sectors in Africa, including solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric energy, the industry of electric two- and three-wheeled vehicles, climate-smart agricultural technologies, aquaculture and poultry production, waste management and recycling, battery energy storage systems, electricity transmission and distribution, charging infrastructure, and ecosystem conservation and nature-based solutions.

Projections indicate that the energy and electricity sector could generate up to 2 million direct jobs by the end of the decade, representing 70% of the total jobs in the five sectors analyzed. The majority of these jobs would be concentrated in solar energy, with 1.7 million jobs (57% of the total), and in electricity transportation and distribution, with 197,000 jobs (6% of the total). The agriculture and nature sector could generate up to 700,000 jobs (25% of the total), with 377,000 related to climate-smart agricultural technologies, 189,000 to aquaculture and poultry production, and 117,000 to ecosystem conservation and nature-based solutions.

The report also provides detailed forecasts for five countries with significant potential in the green economy: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. In these countries, the analyzed sectors could generate up to 700,000 jobs by 2030, representing 22% of the total potential jobs on the continent. South Africa leads the list with between 85,000 and 275,000 new jobs, followed by Nigeria (60,000 – 240,000), Kenya (40,000 – 240,000), Ethiopia (30,000 – 130,000), and the DRC (15,000 – 45,000). The distribution of jobs by sector varies by country: hydroelectric power will be the main source of jobs in the DRC (16,000 jobs) and Ethiopia (33,000 jobs), while solar energy will be the leader in South Africa (140,000 jobs) and Kenya (111,000 jobs). In Nigeria, aquaculture and poultry production will generate the largest number of jobs, with 69,000 projected positions.

The report highlights that 60% of the green jobs generated in the next five years in Africa will be for skilled workers, which could stimulate the growth of the middle class on the continent. Of these, 10% will be highly skilled, requiring university degrees; 30% will be specialized, with certifications or vocational training; and 20% will be administrative. Unskilled jobs, while in smaller proportion, will be more stable and offer opportunities for advancement.

To fully capitalize on these opportunities, African countries will need to mobilize more than $100 billion annually for human resources training, infrastructure building, and establishing investment-friendly regulatory frameworks. FSD Africa and Shortlist also recommend fostering collaboration between governments, the private sector, educational institutions, and investors to strengthen the transition to a green economy in Africa

Article source: ecomnewsafrique