ZA
The X factor: African expatriates wanted back home
17 June 2010
The perfect match of offer and demand in London: African companies and banks are looking for talented people to recruit, while more potential candidates are interested in taking the leap and moving abroad or going back to their countries of origin.
The buzz was obvious at the recent Careers in Africa summit organised in London by the Global Career Company, where 12,000 applicants met representatives of 32 companies.
“Recruitment is a very good indicator of economic growth and Africa is doing really well, especially countries like Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana and Angola,” says Njambi Ngunjiri, relationship manager at GCC. “Local talent is not enough so companies and banks like Kenya Commercial Bank that are looking for critical skills and technical competence recruit from abroad, tapping into the African diaspora. International banks like Barclays, for example, only source graduate trainees locally but are keen to recruit across all their markets.”
GCC has been organising these summits for eight years and has recruited over 5,000 people for 200 different companies in Africa. But recently, with the “push and pull” factor of the downturn in the West and growth in Africa “there has been a huge increase in applicants,” says Ngunjiri. “This year we had 12,000 applicants. Now Africa has become attractive it is not difficult to persuade people to return. They are offered competitive packages so it is a real value proposition.”
This version of speed-dating for recruitment seems to produce results.
“We have been impressed by the standard of candidates at the summit,” says Andre Ross, Absa Capital’s head of African Distribution. “We believe that South African institutions are becoming more relevant globally and our levels of execution are of an international standard. So we are always looking for high calibre talent to join us, and South Africans with international exposure present a very attractive proposition.”
According to the African Development Bank Africa is on course to be the second fastest growing continent after Asia.
“Businesses across Africa are preparing for future productivity and growth, with very positive indicators coming from the financial services sector,” says Zan Wetmore, GCC’s international recruitment manager. “Career opportunities for individuals with extensive industry experience especially in banking and ICT are increasingly significantly across the region. Professionals returning home bring a fresh approach, new solutions and flexibility. International experience benefits both the individual and the country to which they are returning.”
