Following the completion of his IT studies in Ghana’s capital city of Accra, Augustine Normanyo was jobless for several months. After finishing my education, I looked for work in the tech sector, Normanyo told DW. Yet he was unsuccessful since he lacked relevant experience. A German tech company with headquarters in Cologne has two offices in Ghana and Rwanda. They employ qualified personnel to serve both local and international clients.
Prior to being introduced to AmaliTech by a friend. One year later, Normanyo is nearly through with his advanced software engineering training. My current objective is to work at the service centre and advance my skills.
AmaliTech provides graduates with well-paying positions and the opportunity to enter the German market without having to leave Ghana. As a result, Africa is developing the next generation of technology professionals. Which will eventually provide Germany with a solution to its skilled labour deficit in the IT industry.
A Great Example for the IT Industry
Bilal Abubakari, who was chosen as an engineering information technology student when he met Amalitech’s talent scouts on campus, stated, “I think if you receive a new opportunity at Amalitech, you can make it in any technology field in the world.” He joined the IT company right away after graduating, and he is passionate about professionalism. According to Abubakari, “They give a very strong insight into the industry area, so you actually know what’s going on.”
This model ought to establish a precedent, according to economist Eckhardt Bode of the Kiel Center for the Global Economy. The continent of Africa has enormous potential for addressing the manpower shortfall in the region. Whether it through the practise of the company Amalitech, which outsources work that cannot be done in Germany due to a labour shortage, or by the immigration of trained employees from Africa.
Is Germany Prepared to Accept Workers from Africa?
Bode argued that the way German society views immigrants needs to alter further. Are we Germans actually open to immigration? Asked Bode.
He emphasised that Berlin needs to take more decisive responses than in the past and cautioned that the lack of talented people or labour could become a brake on growth and prosperity in Germany in the future.
“Without increased worker immigration, we very likely won’t be able to overcome this prosperity-stripping problem.”
Germany’s and Africa’s mutual benefit
Nonetheless, the IT industry offers a win-win situation for both parties because it allows for training and working remotely. That’s a promising future for both German businesses and young Africans. Najim Azahaf, a migration specialist at the Bertelsmann Foundation, told DW that by doing this, “the skilled labour base is enhanced internationally to avoid negative impacts like brain drain.”
Globally, there are numerous pilot programmes using various methods, for instance, in Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia. But according to Azahaf, it is necessary to take a closer look at nations in sub-Saharan Africa, where the potential for all parties is even greater despite slightly higher initial obstacles.
Taking Advantage of the Opportunities in Africa
Africa has more young people than it needs. Azahaf is certain that this chance must be taken advantage of and that Tunisia and Morocco in North Africa provide viable solutions.
Yet, there are lots of bright young people in South and East Africa who work as software engineers and programmers for clients in Germany and Europe. Anja Schlösser established Code of Africa in Hamburg in 2019 with the goal of developing adaptable and knowledgeable young teams in East Africa.
The company’s Rwandan headquarters now employs ten full-time staff members, while 40 more IT professionals are on call for services from the networks in Kenya, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
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