Jobtech Alliance Adds Eight Platforms to Boost Employment in Africa

The Jobtech Alliance, a pioneering initiative spearheaded by Mercy Corps and BFA Global, has proudly announced the induction of its second cohort of innovative platforms. This addition aims to further its mission of connecting Africans with quality and decent job opportunities across the continent. The announcement underscores a significant step forward in addressing Africa’s pressing challenges, including high unemployment, a burgeoning youth population, and persistent barriers to economic inclusion.

Addressing Africa’s Employment Challenges

Africa faces substantial socio-economic challenges, notably high unemployment rates, a rapidly growing youth population, and systemic obstacles to economic inclusion. The Jobtech Alliance is at the forefront of tackling these issues by cultivating a robust ecosystem of digital platforms designed to create meaningful job opportunities. By integrating technology with employment solutions, the Alliance seeks to transform the future of work in Africa.

Expanding the Jobtech Ecosystem in Africa

The addition of these eight new platforms brings the Alliance’s portfolio to 17 jobtech platforms operating across seven African countries. These platforms are strategically designed to generate employment for the youth, enhance job quality for workers, and uplift underserved communities, including women and refugees.

“We’re thrilled to double down on our efforts with another cohort of jobtech innovators improving access to decent employment across Africa,” said Michelle Hassan, Co-director at Jobtech Alliance. “By building an enabling ecosystem, we can improve livelihoods across the continent.”

Support and Growth Opportunities

Each of the selected platforms will receive comprehensive support to scale their operations and maximize their impact. This support includes:

• Investment Capital: Financial backing to accelerate growth.
• Bespoke Venture-Building Support: Tailored guidance to refine and expand their business models.
• Advisory Services: Expert advice from leading professionals in the industry.
• Cross-Sector Partnerships: Opportunities to collaborate with other platforms, investors, and policymakers.

Since its inception, the Jobtech Alliance has been committed to fostering an inclusive jobtech ecosystem. The Alliance engages hundreds of jobtech platforms across Africa, facilitating learning and community-building activities among key stakeholders, including investors and policymakers.

The New Jobtech Platforms

The platforms selected for the Jobtech Investment are diverse, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the jobtech sector. They range from solar installation platforms to influencer networks, each addressing unique aspects of employment and economic inclusion.

1. Selar (Nigeria): An e-commerce tool that empowers African creatives and entrepreneurs to sell digital content, products, and services across borders, enhancing their reach and revenue potential.
2. Opareta (Uganda): A platform that digitizes mobile money agent businesses, offering solutions for float management, performance analytics, and channel oversight to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
3. Mwingi (Kenya): A tech-enabled trading network that revolutionizes the supply of essential goods to remote rural areas through franchised retail outlets, ensuring accessibility and affordability.
4. Instollar (Nigeria): A green energy marketplace that connects renewable energy companies with freelance green-collar workers using advanced location and skill-matching algorithms.
5. CatalyzU (South Africa): Provides an end-to-end solution that vets, trains, and places non-technical talent at global startups and VC funds through a matchmaking talent marketplace, addressing the skills gap in the startup ecosystem.
6. Goodayon (Ethiopia): A location-based gig platform that links customers with reliable domestic help and home repair services, offering a streamlined and trustworthy service for household needs.
7. Afriwork (Ethiopia): Leverages Telegram to offer fully automated, self-catered recruitment services to SMEs, providing a cost-effective and efficient solution for hiring needs.
8. Gwiji (Kenya): Connects underprivileged women with urban households in need of cleaning services, creating sustainable job opportunities and promoting economic empowerment.

Organizational Background

Jobtech Alliance: Launched in late 2021, the Jobtech Alliance is dedicated to building an inclusive jobtech ecosystem in Africa. It supports digital platforms that connect people to work opportunities, including gig-matching platforms, job-matching services, and e-commerce marketplaces.

Mercy Corps: A global humanitarian organization operating in over 40 countries, Mercy Corps collaborates with local changemakers, global innovators, and communities affected by crises to create a future of possibility where everyone can prosper. The organization has a decade-long history of supporting jobtech innovation in Africa and the Middle East.

BFA Global: An impact innovation firm that combines research, advisory, venture building, and investment expertise to foster inclusive, equitable, and resilient futures for underserved communities. BFA Global partners with public, private, and philanthropic organizations to catalyze innovation ecosystems across emerging markets. Founded in 2006, the firm operates from multiple global hubs, including Nairobi, Boston, Medellín, New Delhi, Mexico City, Johannesburg, Lagos, Accra, Madrid, London, and Paris.

Looking Forward

The Jobtech Alliance’s initiative represents a significant stride towards sustainable job creation and economic empowerment in Africa. By supporting and scaling these innovative platforms, the Alliance aims to transform lives, improve the quality of work, and build a more inclusive and resilient future for the continent.