The Africa staffing and recruitment market size is expected to reach US$ 32.18 billion by 2031 from US$ 16.50 billion in 2023. The market is estimated to record a CAGR of 8.7% during 2023–2031. Automation and AI-driven recruitment processes are likely to bring new trends in the Africa staffing and recruitment market in the coming years.
Africa's economy is growing rapidly. As per the Africa Development Bank Group, the region’s GDP growth rate is predicted to record an average of 3.8% in 2024 and 4.2% by 2025. This exceeds the predicted worldwide averages of 2.9% and 3.2%. Africa is expected to remain the second-fastest expanding region after Asia. This growth is fueled by various factors, including increased foreign direct investment (FDI), improvements in infrastructure, and a burgeoning middle-class population. Moreover, economic diversification plays a major role in promoting staffing and recruitment solutions in the region. As industries expand, the need for a skilled workforce becomes paramount, leading to an increased reliance on staffing agencies to identify and secure the best candidates.
Staffing encompasses the processes of selecting, assessing, and hiring individuals within an organization to meet both current and temporary staffing needs. With staffing, the company aims to hire suitable candidates in appropriate roles for the designated period. During the recruitment process, recruiters precisely evaluate numerous resumes to align candidates' skills with the requirements set by the employer. This involves shortlisting qualified applicants and assessing them based on their knowledge, skills, and behavioral attributes.
Traditionally focusing on agriculture and extractive industries, many African nations are now expanding into sectors such as technology, finance, healthcare, and renewable energy. For instance, the information, communication, and technology (ICT) sector in Kenya offers a significant opportunity for innovative enterprises aiming for sustainable growth and a strategic foothold in Africa's expanding digital market. The Government of Kenya has enacted favorable policies and incentives designed to attract investment in this sector. Through the 2022–2032 Digital Economy Master Plan, the government is committed to fostering an environment favorable to business success. Further, investors can benefit from tax incentives, streamlined regulatory procedures, and support for research and development initiatives. This strategic approach by companies enhances the investment landscape as well as positions Kenya as a leading technological hub in East Africa, contributing to the growth in mobile broadband, financial services, and a robust ICT infrastructure. This shift creates new job opportunities as well as necessitates a workforce equipped with diverse skill sets. Thus, economic growth and diversification fuel the Africa staffing and recruitment market growth.
The wide presence of the young population in Africa leads to a burgeoning demand for skilled professionals across various sectors, including technology, healthcare, engineering, and finance. Governments and educational institutions are increasingly recognizing the necessity of aligning educational curricula with industry requirements. This alignment enhances the employability of graduates as well as equips them with relevant skills that are in high demand. For staffing and recruitment agencies, this alignment creates a huge opportunity to connect employers seeking qualified candidates and job seekers equipped with the necessary skills.
In 2024, the African Union adopted the theme "Educate an African Fit for the 21st Century," emphasizing the crucial role of education in fostering a skilled workforce. The World Bank will align its initiatives with this theme by concentrating on four key areas: foundational learning; jobs and skills development; science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); and higher education. This collaborative effort aims to enhance educational outcomes and equip individuals with the competencies necessary to thrive in a modern economy. Thus, the growing focus on education and skill development is expected to present a significant opportunity for the Africa staffing and recruitment market growth during the forecast period.
Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the Africa staffing and recruitment market analysis are staffing type, recruitment channel, and end user.
In terms of country, the Africa staffing and recruitment market is categorized into Kenya, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, Zambia, Nigeria, Egypt, and the Rest of Africa.
Projects such as The Competitiveness and Job Creation Project for Ethiopia supported the government's efforts to generate employment by attracting investments and improving firm competitiveness in industrial parks from 2014 to 2023. Two industrial parks, Bole Lemi II and Kilinto, created ~19,000 jobs—66% of which went to women. These parks produced more than US$ 180 million in sales and trained approximately 8,000 people in soft and technical skills. Thus, such government projects are anticipated to propel the staffing and recruitment market in Ethiopia.
South Africa, Uganda, Madagascar, Ghana, and Angola are among the major countries in the Rest of Africa staffing and recruitment market. In recent years, the South African government has implemented a series of initiatives aimed at stimulating economic growth, addressing unemployment, and enhancing workforce development. For instance, in October 2023, The International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with its International Program Centre (ITC-ILO) and the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development (MGLSD), provided a three-day capacity-building training to help Uganda revise its National Employment Policy (NEP) and align it with the Fourth National Development Plan (2026–2030). The training was a significant step for the country’s efforts to build a robust employment framework that promotes long-term economic growth for job creation and inclusiveness. In addition, Angola is one of the most oil-dependent African countries, with oil accounting for 28.9% of GDP and 95% of exports. The oil sector generates most of the employment opportunities in the country. As per the African Development Bank Group, most jobs in Angola are informal (79.9%), driven by rural areas (38%) and youth (52.9%).
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Market size in 2023 | US$ 16.50 Billion |
| Market Size by 2031 | US$ 32.18 Billion |
| Global CAGR (2023 - 2031) | 8.7% |
| Historical Data | 2021-2022 |
| Forecast period | 2024-2031 |
| Segments Covered |
By Staffing Type
|
| Regions and Countries Covered | Africa
|
| Market leaders and key company profiles |
The "Africa Staffing and Recruitment Market Size and Forecast (2021–2031)" provides a detailed analysis of the market covering the areas mentioned below:
The List of Companies - Africa Staffing and Recruitment Market
The rise in young population and job opportunities, economic growth and diversification, and surge in government initiatives and policies regarding employment creation are driving factors in the Africa staffing and recruitment market.
The temporary staffing type segment led the Africa staffing and recruitment market with a significant share in 2023.
The automation and AI-driven recruitment process is expected to drive the growth of the Africa staffing and recruitment market in the coming years.
The Africa staffing and recruitment market was estimated to be valued at US$ 16.50 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 32.18 billion by 2031; it is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% over the forecast period.
The key players holding majority shares in the Africa staffing and recruitment market include Hire Resolve, Executech Recruitment, Korn Ferry, Africa Work, and Fed Africa.
The Africa staffing and recruitment market is expected to reach US$ 32.18 billion by 2031.