Tech Skills in High Demand Across Africa: Cybersecurity Leads the Way
Africa Experiences Rapid Growth in Tech Skills Demand, With Cybersecurity Leading the Way
A recent report has highlighted a significant increase in the demand for technology skills across Africa, with cybersecurity emerging as the most urgent and pressing skills gap on the continent in 2025.
The surveyed organizations have collectively noted an increased need for tech skills, with about 50% reporting a significant increase and the other 50% noting moderate growth. Cybersecurity skills have taken centre stage, with 86% of organizations emphasizing their importance, surpassing AI development and generative AI.
South Africa leads the pack with 63% of organizations reporting a significant increase in their need for tech skills, followed by Kenya (43%) and Nigeria (40%). However, global confidence in Africa's cybersecurity capabilities is critically low, at just 14%, indicating a critical shortage.
This surge in cybersecurity demand aligns with Africa's fast-expanding digital economy, driven by millions coming online through government and private initiatives. However, the availability of specialized training has not kept pace with this digital transformation, contributing to the skills deficit.
Beyond cybersecurity, other tech skills like data analysis, programming, product design, and cloud computing are also increasingly necessary as Africa's digital economy is projected to grow significantly, to an estimated $712 billion by 2050. Initiatives are ongoing to bridge skills gaps and connect training to economic outcomes, such as Kenya’s Power Learn Project, which focuses on democratizing access to digital skills and linking graduates to real income opportunities.
The growing emphasis on cybersecurity can be attributed to the rapid expansion of Africa's digital economy. The demand for tech skills in Africa has shifted significantly from previous years, with a notable growth in the past year. The demand for AI developer skills is also high, with 85% of organizations prioritizing them.
In summary, Africa is experiencing strong demand for technology skills in 2025, with cybersecurity at the forefront, driven by rapid digital adoption and economic growth. However, the continent faces challenges in closing the skills gap due to insufficient specialized training and low confidence in capabilities, prompting expanded upskilling efforts.
- The demand for cybersecurity skills in Africa is soaring, as highlighted in a recent report, with 86% of organizations placing a significant emphasis on these skills, surpassing the need for artificial intelligence developers.
- As data-and-cloud-computing becomes increasingly important in Africa's growing digital economy, organizations are also seeking professionals with expertise in data analysis, programming, product design, and other tech-related fields.
- Recognizing the skills deficit, initiatives like Kenya’s Power Learn Project are working to bridge the gap by democratizing access to digital skills and connecting graduates to real income opportunities, promoting the growth of tech skills across Africa.
