Tech skills related to cybersecurity are currently the most sought-after in the African tech industry
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The demand for cybersecurity and tech skills is experiencing a significant surge across Africa, driven by the rapid expansion of the digital economy and the integration of millions of citizens into the digital sphere.
According to a recent report, all organizations surveyed in Africa have indicated an increased need for tech skills over the past twelve months. This trend is particularly noticeable in countries like Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa, which are leading hubs for digital skills development and cybersecurity initiatives.
The report highlights the growing demand for tech skills across organizations in Africa. In Kenya, 43% of organizations noted a significant increase in their need for tech skills, while in Nigeria, 40% reported the same. South Africa follows closely with 63% of organizations reporting a significant increase.
The rising demand for AI and related tech skills is another key point supporting this growth. Nearly half of African companies surveyed expect a significant increase in demand for AI and digital skills in 2025, showing a general surge in the need for tech competencies across sectors.
Cybersecurity has emerged as the most in-demand tech skill on the continent today, with 86% of organizations emphasizing its importance. This emphasis on cybersecurity can be attributed to the growing integration of AI and digital services across Africa, which necessitates robust security measures to protect digital assets.
The demand for tech skills contrasts with a previous survey's findings, where 7% of companies reported no change in their tech skill requirements. However, in the current survey, only 14% of organizations globally are confident in their current cybersecurity skill sets.
The growing emphasis on cybersecurity can be seen in major tech initiatives, such as Google's $37 million funding for AI development and career scholarships across Ghana that include cybersecurity training. Kenya hosts focused programs like the Power Learn Project, which trains young people in digital skills including software development, helping bridge the gap between training and actual employment in tech roles, implicitly including security roles in the tech economy.
Although only 37% of Africa’s population was online in 2023, the rapid increase in mobile connectivity and digital service adoption suggests sustained growth in demand for digital and cybersecurity skills to support this growth. This universal increase in demand for tech skills across Africa is a notable shift from previous years.
AI developer skills are highly valued, with 85% of organizations prioritizing them. Generative AI is also in high demand, with 83% of organizations prioritizing it.
In summary, cybersecurity and related tech skills are in high and growing demand in Africa, with Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa emerging as the leaders in workforce development and digital transformation initiatives addressing this need. The rapid expansion of the digital economy and the integration of millions of citizens into the digital sphere are driving this demand, and the trend is expected to continue in the coming years.
- To address the growing demand for cybersecurity, Google is investing $37 million in AI development and career scholarships in Ghana, which includes cybersecurity training.
- The demand for AI and digital skills in Africa is expected to see a significant increase by 2025, according to the survey.
- Data-and-cloud-computing skills are essential for organizations in Africa, as they strive to protect digital assets amidst the surge in AI and digital services across the continent.
- Career-development opportunities in tech fields such as education-and-self-development and skills-training are crucial for Africa, as the demand for tech competencies across sectors continues to grow.
