Human resource experts have emphasized that organizations need to rethink their talent management strategies to retain top employees amid a shifting workforce. At a Regional HR Summit in Nairobi, experts highlighted the importance of offering growth opportunities and allowing self-expression to prevent losing valuable talent.
Raymond Muthama, Chief People and Culture Officer at Zamara, stated, “If you provide a platform for meaningful work in your organisation, your talent pool will remain. But if you do not allow them to grow within the organisation and to express themselves and be themselves, they will leave you.”
Muthama also stressed the need for Africa to lead in developing solutions for talent and workspaces, given that 60 percent of the global labor force is based on the continent. This is particularly relevant as businesses in Africa face high employee turnover and a workforce that increasingly values purpose and career development over long-term employment.
Emily Ndoria, Director for Trade in Services at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), mentioned that AfCFTA is working on regulatory frameworks to facilitate smoother talent migration across Africa. “AfCFTA is spearheading the development of mutual recognition across the continent and helping in developing regulatory frameworks and agreements to enable the boundless movement of talent from one country to another,” she said.
The summit, themed “Afrocentricity: Curating Solutions for Talent and Workspaces in Africa,” addressed challenges such as skills mismatches, lack of inclusive workplaces, and the impact of technological disruption. Attendees discussed strategies to overcome these issues and unlock opportunities for innovation and growth.
Zamara Group CEO Sundeep Raichura emphasized the need for organizations to leverage human capital for social progress.
“As we navigate the complexities of an ever-changing global landscape, the role of HR in shaping the future of work has never been more critical. We are at a pivotal moment where the decisions we make today will determine the success of our organisations and our continent in the years to come,” he stated.
The Regional HR Summit brought together HR leaders, industry experts, and policymakers from across the region to discuss strategies and solutions that will shape the future of work in Africa.
