New thinkers are not only revolutionising the ways in which data can lead to innovation, but also the ways in which we work to realise those innovations. Africa has its own means of fostering, accommodating, and eventually promoting its own pool of data talent, notes Celina Lee, CEO at Zindi. Understanding the context of Africa, and how data scientists are working together, is key to accessing, enabling, and benefiting from this blossoming ecosystem.
Education is just the start
The proliferation of data science in Africa is the result of a great push to introduce 4IR education policies throughout the continent. Education is at the forefront of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, with the Union acknowledging that “significant investments in education” are required to develop “human and social capital through an education and skills revolution emphasizing innovation, science and technology”.
The result of this push, and indeed the desire to act on global trends, are all-new institutions that seek to not only capitalise on data science, but also facilitate it. Institutions such as the African Data Science Academy at South Africa’s Stellenbosch University, or the Makerere Artificial Intelligence Lab at Makerere University in Uganda, frame data science as a next-generation enabler.
However, while STEM education may be a priority and Africa is establishing its vectors for creating new data talent, the continent still faces a mismatch between the demand and supply of talent. Although there is huge demand for data scientists, graduates are often unable to find employment because this infant market is unable to absorb inexperienced workers. Subsequently, these prospective workers are unable to accrue the experience that would make them more desirable to businesses, which need more experienced data scientists to build data teams and capabilities.
Africa is open for recruitment
In parallel, the tech world is experiencing a rapidly-escalating demand for data science talent. According to the DevSkiller IT Skills Report, 2021 saw a 295% increase in the number of data science-related tasks recruiters set for candidates in the interview process. The increase can easily be attributed to a growing desire by enterprises to not only better use the data they already have, but also the means to gather and process new data as new markets emerge and technology opens the door to new possibilities in the field.
In the age of remote work, African professionals pose a real hiring opportunity for international enterprises. Technology jobs such as data scientists, software developers, technical support specialists, and solutions architects have been identified as positions most likely to be hired as remote roles.
Taking the recruitment drive to Africa has benefits for both the employer and prospective employee. Professionals benefit from globally oriented industry exposure, and a chance to be part of digital and social transformation with leading businesses. On the other side, businesses have access to an all-new pool of talent – young minds with fresh ideas about how they can use data to make that transformation.
Africa is not just a potential market for the rest of the world’s technologies. The technologies Africa is consuming and using will be built by the people who best understand the market – Africans themselves. And we all stand to benefit from this. Just as we understand the fundamental value of diversity and a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and ideas, the African market presents an incredible opportunity for the world to think differently about their problems, to think more efficiently, and to think more innovatively.
Ubuntu and the continental approach to community
The culture of life-long learning among Africa’s data scientists is defined by interpersonal relationships, by active trust, and a sense of community that drives current developments. Data scientists who have demonstrated their skills and are regarded as top performers are dedicated to growing their community, reaching out and mentoring their peers. In a way, Africa’s data science community is one that profoundly reflects ubuntu – a motivation to give back no matter your personal circumstances.
Informal networks in the continent’s biggest cities encourage interaction and engagement, made possible through social media and digital portals that can connect people reliably and cheaply. An extension of this are community-oriented events: hackathons and group activities result in further collaboration, and distinguish both individuals and groups and demonstrate their abilities.
The goal now is to take those networks, that sense of community, and formalise them, creating something even more powerful that Africa and the rest of the world can benefit from. Data science in Africa will soon be a force to be reckoned with, and that’s good news for everyone.