Organizations Urged to Rethink Talent Management at Regional HR Summit

By Samuel Ouma

Organizations should revisit strategies related to talent management so as not to lose out on the top global executives, said presenters at this year's mega HR summit in Africa.

Speaking at the Regional HR Summit, Raymond Muthama, Chief People and Culture Officer – Zamara challenged businesses to change their approaches to managing talent as new demands emerge from a workforce that is changing too fast.

He said employers must ensure jobs have purpose and career advancement to keep people on the payroll.

“If you provide a platform for meaningful work in your organization, your talent pool will remain. But if you do not give them the opportunity to grow within the organization and to express themselves and be themselves, they will leave you,” Mr Muthama said.

Muthama also emphasized that Africa needs to create its own solutions for talent management, as it holds 60% of the global labour force.

Emily Mburu Ndoria, Director for Trade in Services Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Digital Trade at the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), talked about how HR plays a part in fueling innovation and opportunities for talent migration across Africa.

"AfCFTA is spearheading the development of mutual recognition across the continent and helping in developing regulatory frameworks and agreements to enable the boundless movement of talent from one country to another," she noted.

The summit, themed Afrocentricity: Curating Solutions for Talent & Workspaces in Africa", addressed issues including skills mismatches; non-inclusive work locations and environments; as well as technology disruptions.

Sundeep Raichura, Zamara Group CEO, emphasized the summit's significance, calling the theme timely.

As we navigate the complexities of an ever-changing global landscape, the role of HR in shaping the future of work has never been more critical. We are at a pivotal moment where the decisions we make today will determine the success of our organizations—and our continent—in the years to come,” he stated.

Raichura also noted that Africa’s abundant resources and human capital place it in a unique position globally. He urged HR professionals to take proactive steps in building resilient, innovative, and efficient organizations.

The Regional HR Summit brought together HR leaders, industry experts, and policymakers to discuss strategies for shaping Africa’s future workforce.