Online Reporter
Nqobile Bhebhe
Zimpapers Business Hub
ZIMBABWE has been urged to prioritise reskilling and upskilling its workforce through investment if it is to remain competitive amid fast-evolving global economic and technological trends.
This comes as the country enters an era dominated by artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), data science and green technologies.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, nearly 50 percent of job skills in Zimbabwe are projected to change within the next five years, significantly higher than the global average of 39 percent.
In response, 90 percent of local employers have already indicated plans to upskill their current workforce.
Notably, the most sought-after capabilities are increasingly non-technical.
Skills such as systems thinking, marketing and media, customer service, dependability, attention to detail, quality control and global citizenship are growing in demand more rapidly in Zimbabwe than in other regions.
National Competitiveness Commission executive director Mr Phillip Phiri said Zimbabwe must act decisively to prepare its labour force for a new industrial era shaped by AI, IoT, data science and green technologies.
“Zimbabwe must prioritise reskilling and upskilling its workforce to remain competitive in an era dominated by AI, IoT, data science and green technologies,” said Mr Phiri.
“Zimbabwe must also urgently reform education curricula, strengthen industry-academia partnerships and leverage innovation hubs to bridge skills gaps. Embracing ICT (information and communication technology) and sustainability-driven sectors will be critical to fostering inclusive growth, enhancing industrial competitiveness and securing a resilient and future-ready labour market in a digitally advancing global economy.”
According to The Future of Jobs Report 2025, 70 percent of local businesses support public policy interventions to improve the education system, a figure well above the global average of 47 percent.
The survey looked at over 1 000 top global employers representing more than 14 million workers, and found that broadening digital access will be the most transformative trend by 2030.
The report notes that a combination of disruptive forces, including technological innovation, geoeconomic fragmentation, economic uncertainty, demographic shifts and the green transition, will reshape the global labour market over the next decade.
Advances in AI and information processing are expected to impact 86 percent of businesses globally, while robotics and automation will affect 58 percent, and energy generation and distribution technologies 41 percent.
This shift is expected to accelerate demand for digital and technical proficiencies such as cybersecurity, big data and digital literacy.
However, worsening global economic conditions are also expected to take a toll, the report notes.
Rising living costs are projected to affect 50 percent of businesses globally, while a broader economic slowdown could displace 1,6 million jobs by 2030.
As a result, soft skills such as creativity, resilience and adaptability are gaining importance.
Mr Phiri emphasised that building a future-ready labour force must be a national priority, anchored in innovation, inclusivity and cross-sector collaboration.
Labour expert Mr Darlington Mutasa said continuous skills upgrading is now a necessity rather than a luxury in today’s economic environment.
“As Zimbabwe works towards Vision 2030, building a knowledge-driven and competitive economy, continuous professional development ensures that employees remain relevant, efficient and innovative,” he said.
“Employers must invest in capacity-building initiatives to enhance productivity and service delivery, while employees must embrace lifelong learning to meet the demands of a dynamic labour market.
“Upskilling not only boosts individual performance, but also contributes to national development through improved industrial competitiveness and job creation.”
The report further notes that non-technical capabilities are not only rising in importance globally, but are particularly crucial in Zimbabwe.
“In Zimbabwe, non-technical skills are most sought after, with systems thinking, marketing and media, customer service, dependability and attention to detail, quality control and global citizenship all increasing in demand more rapidly than global averages,” reads part of the report.
To meet this challenge, employers in Zimbabwe and Nigeria plan to scale up workforce development over the next five years.
In South Africa, where population growth is slowing, employers are investing in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes to expand access to skilled talent.
Online Reporter