Labour Minister pushes for bold HR leadership in Africa’s Digital Transformation

The Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, has called on Human Resource leaders across the continent to take a central role in shaping Africa’s workforce for the demands of the digital age.

Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Global Conference on Human Resources in Africa (GCHRA25) on Wednesday, August 13, Dr Pelpuo said the digital revolution is no longer a distant prospect but a reality transforming industries and redefining skills.

“Digital transformation offers us a rare opportunity to leapfrog outdated development paths, fuel innovation, and open new frontiers for economic progress,” he told participants.

Held under the theme “Leveraging Technology to Enhance Workforce Productivity and Optimize Efficiency”, the three-day event brought together HR professionals, business leaders, policymakers, and technology innovators from across Africa and beyond. This year’s edition was organised in partnership with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), one of the world’s largest HR professional associations, with the aim of blending global best practices with homegrown solutions.

Dr Pelpuo noted that Africa’s labour market is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with emerging roles in fields such as data science, cybersecurity, digital marketing, and AI-driven platform management. “It is crucial not only to create these jobs but also to make them accessible, sustainable, and inclusive for all,” he said.

While technology offers new opportunities for education, skills training, and job access, the Minister cautioned that it could also widen inequality if not managed carefully.

Quoting SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., he said, “AI plus human intelligence will equal return on investment in the new world of work,” stressing that technology should be used to enhance — not replace — human potential.

He urged schools, training institutions, and businesses to modernise curricula and professional development programmes to meet the shifting needs of the job market, while encouraging HR leaders to guide their organisations through this transformation.

Closing his address, Dr Pelpuo called on participants to use GCHRA25 as a springboard for building a future in which digital transformation drives inclusive growth, fosters bold innovation, and creates lasting jobs for all Africans.