A new report says that Africa's green economy has the potential to generate between 1.5 million and 3.3 million new direct jobs by 2030. Most of these jobs will be in the renewable energy sector, especially solar power. This shift towards green energy and sustainable practices could transform the continent's job market and economy.
The report, titled "Forecasting Green Jobs in Africa," comes from FSD Africa and Shortlist, with analysis by Boston Consulting Group. It looks at 12 "green" sub-sectors and predicts where new jobs will be created over the next five years[1]. The report focuses on five countries: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Together, these countries are expected to account for more than 22% of the new green jobs in Africa.
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The green economy includes sectors like renewable energy, e-mobility (electric vehicles), agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. The report says that the renewable energy sector alone could generate up to 2 million jobs, with 1.7 million in solar energy. Agriculture and nature-related activities are expected to create another 700,000 jobs through climate-smart agriculture technology.
The report also highlights which countries will likely see the most green job growth. South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria are expected to lead the way due to their populations, economies, and industry maturity. Solar power is predicted to be a major job creator in South Africa (140,000 jobs) and Kenya (111,000 jobs). In the DRC and Ethiopia, hydroelectric power is expected to be the leading employer.
Not only will the green economy create more jobs, but it will also require a skilled workforce. The report estimates that 60% of the new jobs will be skilled or "white collar," including advanced, specialized, and administrative positions. These jobs usually come with higher salaries, which could help grow the middle class in these countries.
To make the most of this opportunity, the report outlines key strategies. These include investing in promising sectors and industries, encouraging collaboration between governments, the private sector, educational institutions, and investors, and developing supportive policies for green sectors.
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The report emphasizes the importance of skills development and training. To ensure that Africans have the skills needed for these new green jobs, there needs to be more investment in education and workforce training. The millions of jobs created could also help formalize African economies, bringing more people into systems of stable pay, social security, and taxation.
While some experts predict even higher numbers of green jobs by 2050, this report takes a more cautious approach, focusing on the near-term potential through 2030. This realistic outlook is meant to guide immediate investments and policy decisions by universities, workforce programs, and governments]. Overall, the report suggests that Africa's green economy offers a big opportunity for job creation and sustainable growth, but it requires planning, investment, and collaboration.