ABUJA –
Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, once explained why China remains the manufacturing hub for tech giants like his company. It wasn’t just about cheap labour, he said—it was about the vast pool of skilled workers China had cultivated over decades. This insight raises a pressing question for Africa: If China could build an army of skilled labour to attract global investment, why can’t Africa do the same?
The continent has the numbers—a young, energetic population hungry for opportunity. Yet, when Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, built his massive refinery in Nigeria, he had to import 11,000 engineers from India because he couldn’t find enough qualified local talent. The irony is painful. Africa has the people, but not always the skills. So, what did China do right, and how can Africa replicate that success?
China didn’t become the world’s factory overnight. Decades ago, it made a deliberate choice: vocational training became a national mission. The government invested heavily in technical schools, partnered with industries to design relevant curricula, and ensured that education was aligned with market needs. Polytechnics and apprenticeships weren’t seen as second-class options—they were respected pathways to stable, well-paying jobs.
Most importantly, China didn’t just train workers. It kept them. Competitive wages, improving working conditions, and a thriving industrial ecosystem meant skilled professionals had reasons to stay and grow within the country. Over time, this created a virtuous cycle: more skills attracted more factories, which in turn created more jobs and further upskilling.
Africa doesn’t need to reinvent the wheel—it needs to prioritise skills with the same urgency China did. The foundation is already here: a youthful population, increasing internet penetration, and a growing demand for industrialisation. What’s missing is a coordinated push towards vocational education.
Countries like Germany and South Korea have shown that technical and vocational education (TVET) can drive economic miracles. Africa must take this seriously—governments, businesses, and educators must collaborate to build technical institutes that teach not just theory, but practical, industry-specific skills. Imagine a Nigeria where thousands of young engineers are trained specifically in refinery operations, or a Kenya producing world-class renewable energy technicians. The potential is enormous.
One major challenge is retention. Many African professionals leave for better opportunities abroad, creating a skills gap at home. To counter this, African industries must offer competitive wages, career growth, and better working conditions. Governments can incentivize local hiring through tax breaks for companies that invest in training nationals. Additionally, diaspora professionals could be lured back with attractive schemes, much like China did when it encouraged its overseas talent to return.
Africa doesn’t lack potential. It lacks structured skill development. The Dangote refinery’s dependence on foreign engineers should be a wake-up call. If Africa builds the right vocational systems, global investors like Apple might one day set up factories in Lagos, Nairobi, or Accra—not just for cheap labour, but for skilled, reliable talent.
The time to act is now. With the right policies, partnerships, and persistence, Africa can turn its greatest asset—its people—into its biggest economic advantage. The skills revolution starts today. release of Funk Master comes after NetEnt launched its Knight Rider-themed slot and the jungle-themed Silverback Gold, that makes deposits at top Australian casinos quick and safe. Slot machines online united kingdom an excellent selection if you want to play online roulette on your iPhone, check out our Borgata poker review.