Transactional sales roles are the most in-demand jobs across Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya amid Covid-19 pandemic disruptions.
This is according to data from ROAM Africa (Ringier One Africa Media) released today.
The data on three new labour market reports sheds more light on the effects of the Covid-19 on the African jobs market.
Considering the furlough extensions and new working habits developing across the continent, many employers and job seekers are looking for guidelines to help them understand where opportunities are available and how to prepare for the future of work.
The impact of Covid-19 Job Reports, compiled by ROAM subsidiaries,, Jobberman (Ghana and Nigeria) and BrighterMonday (Kenya), explore factors such as trending industries/sectors, trending roles, trending skills, trending salaries/benefits, major trends caused by Covid-19 and job market trends and forecasts for Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya.
The reports are based on information from the databases of the jobs platforms – with more than 24 million combined job applications and more than 100,000 registered employers – external research and insight from external business leaders.
- According to the reports, Sales roles in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya are the most sought after, with 15%, 4% and 13% of job postings in each market respectively, between January and August 2020.
- IT & Telecoms was the top industry with the most job postings in Ghana and Nigeria, 12% and 16% respectively; while the Government had the most job postings in Kenya respectively.
- Customer Service and Support was the most declining job function in Ghana and Nigeria, with 2% and 5% respectively; while Management & Business Development was the most declining job function in Kenya with 4%.
- Despite a decline in hiring in some industries, the reports predict a rise in demand for certain skills post-Covid, as companies prepare to address the challenges brought about by the pandemic.
- The reports predict that hard skills such as digital and coding skills, data analytics and literacy and problem-solving skills, as well as soft skills such as adaptability and agility, emotional intelligence and critical thinking are the skills companies are hiring for right now.
There is also a change in how employers view compensation, with mental health and wellness benefits, flex pay and childcare support, more prominent in compensation packages. Virtual recruitment, remote working and the acceleration of technology adoption are some of the other major trends caused by Covid-19.
What they are saying
Commenting on the findings of the report, Hilda Kragha, Managing Director of ROAM Africa Jobs, noted:
“These reports not only highlights the impact of the pandemic, but also serves as a guide for all employers to assess how they deal with change. The pandemic has undoubtedly caused a number of challenges, but some of the changes it has brought are quite exciting, because they offer the potential for dynamic transformations.
“As we assess and plan for the future, business leaders, HR practitioners and policymakers will have to work together to develop effective solutions that will make them better equipped for the future and create a better workplace for both employers and employees.”
What you should know
- ROAM Jobs is part of the ROAM Africa Group (Ringier One Africa Media), a digital classified group in Sub-Saharan Africa. Unified by its mission to connect Africans to opportunities and be Africa’s most user-centric marketplace company.
- It operates across eight sub-Saharan countries. ROAM jobs operates in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria and Ghana, with a multi-brand strategy including Jobberman in West Africa and BrighterMonday in East Africa.
