Southern Africa: countries brimming with job opportunities

Southern Africa may be Africa’s second-smallest region in terms of population, but is nonetheless one of the continent’s economic engines, whose diversity and dynamism are increasingly attracting investors. Between 1990 and 2019, Southern Africa’s GDP more than doubled, and four of Africa’s seven upper-middle-income countries are located there.

Despite its great heterogeneity, the region enjoys political stability and significant natural resources, which guarantee a promising future. As a result, Southern Africa ‘s GDP is set to rise from $678 billion in 2019 to $ 1,257.9 billion in 2043 – an increase of 85.5%. Furthermore, projections indicate that several of the region’s economic sectors will grow exponentially in the coming years. The size of the manufacturing and energy sectors is set to more than double by 2043, while the service sector is set to grow by 76%. Here ‘s a look at the five most attractive countries in a region with a promising future in terms of employment. 

South Africa 

With its mature, diversified economy, South Africa is full of employment opportunities in many sectors. The country boasts the continent’s best-performing financial and services sectors, as well as a well-developed infrastructure to support business activities. It is also one of Africa’s top-ranked countries in the Ease of Doing Business Index, and half of the continent’s companies earning over a billion dollars a year are located in South Africa.

Mining is a major source of foreign currencies for the country, thanks to its vast resources of gold, platinum and local. The country also has ambitions to become a pharmaceutical giant and a continental center for vaccine research. With total pharmaceutical expenditure estimated at $3.6 billion in 2020, South Africa is the largest pharmaceutical market in sub-Saharan Africa, and companies such as Aspen, Biovac and NantSA have recently chosen to set up operations here. 

Botswana

A model of economic development, Botswana rose rapidly from poverty after its independence to become an upper-middle-income country. As the world’s leading diamond producer, its mining sector is constantly on the lookout for new talents.

Beyond these natural resources, Botswana has used the profits from its mining industry to build a strong social welfare system, offering free education to its citizens and reliable healthcare. The services, education and health sectors are therefore particularly well developed.

In addition to mining, Botswana also relies on tourism and agriculture. The agricultural sector, which currently accounts for 2% of the country’s GDP, is undergoing a major transformation and presents a growing number of opportunities since the government decided to capitalize on it to create jobs for the  most disadvantaged communities.

Angola

As Africa’s leading oil producer, ahead of Nigeria, and one of the fastest-growing economies in Southern Africa, Angola is brimming with job opportunities in the mining sector. Oil production and related activities account for around 50% of its GDP, over 70% of government revenues and over 90% of the country’s exports. Angola also has significant gas reserves and vast mineral resources, including diamonds. Numerous international oil production companies are active in the country, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, BP and Total. In recent years, sub-Saharan Africa’s sixth-largest economy has also set itself the goal of diversifying its economy and strengthening its domestic production capacity, with increased investment in agriculture, industry and key infrastructure sectors such as energy, water and transport.

Namibia

Thanks to its stable, diversified economy, Namibia is a sought-after destination for job seekers. Since its independence in 1990, the country has embarked on a strategy of economic diversification aimed at creating dynamic industrial and service sectors through increased manufacturing activity, the promotion of value-added to locally-produced raw materials and the modernization of the financial and ICT (Information and Communication Technology) sectors.    While mining remains the mainstay of the Namibian economy and the largest contributor to the country’s GDP, the tourism sector has become the country's second-largest and fastestgrowing contributor to GDP. Another booming sector: Namibia's fishing industry ranks among the top 10 in the world.

Mauritius

A small island nation, Mauritius attracts a growing number of expatriate workers every year. And with good reason: the country boasts the second-highest GDP per capita in Southern Africa, and ranks second in the region for human development. The Mauritian economy is driven by tourism, textile manufacturing, sugar production and financial services, all of which are in high demand for skilled professionals.

There is also rapid diversification of the economic base towards ICT, seafood, hospitality, property development, healthcare, renewable energies, education and training, all of which are attracting local and foreign investors.