Abstract

Unemployment, particularly among the youth, remains a significant issue on the African continent. Recent data reveals that Africa's youth unemployment rate stands at 12.3%, starkly higher than the developed world's average of 4.5% (International Labour Organization, 2022). The extended periods of transition from school to work and the prevalence of lower-quality jobs exacerbate this challenge, leading to social issues including increased crime, substance abuse, and mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety (Kramo 2021). What is more concerning is that the rapid evolution of technology also poses challenges even for well-qualified individuals, including graduates, who previously were considered to be in secure employment positions (Margherita and Braccini 2020). To address the changing demands of the future of work, it is crucial to assess and enhance the essential skills of the workforce. Educational institutions play a critical role in this regard by developing needed competencies, thereby not only boosting employability but also fostering civic participation, entrepreneurial endeavors and reducing crime rates. Likewise, the shift toward digital and remote working environments, catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, requires a reevaluation of how work is conducted. It is essential to foster collaboration in digital spaces, utilize emerging technologies like the Metaverse, and ensure privacy and security in digital workplaces. The incorporation of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GAI) into the workplace changes organizational dynamics and necessitates a discussion on its ethical, regulatory, and societal implications (Abhari and Eisenberg 2023). There is also a critical need to develop ethical and empathetic leadership to address the socio-economic disparities prevalent in Africa and promote inclusive growth (World Economic Forum 2023). The resulting aim of this discussion is not merely about the role of education, but a call to help us examine how Information Systems (IS) specialists can guide youth by integrating interdisciplinary research and teachings to make our graduates relevant and aligned with current technological advancements. The challenge extends to educators, whose capability to utilize and effectively adopt emerging technologies significantly impacts their students' readiness. The objective is to enhance the global employability of African graduates, considering they are becoming the strongest employment contingent based on age by 2030. This will require balancing local relevance with global competitiveness, and to discuss strategies for effective technology adoption and skills development to prepare leaders for the digital age.

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