Abstract

Purpose: This study critically examines how digital disruption — driven by rapid technological advancements — is reshaping the nature of work for African youth and the implications for innovation, skills development, and labour market outcomes. Despite the continent’s demographic dividend, significant structural challenges persist. This research quantifies the extent to which digital transformation — including automation, artificial intelligence, and online work platforms — affects employment trajectories, highlighting gaps in digital skills, infrastructure, and policy alignment.

Design/Methodology: Employing a quantitative research design, the study uses crosssectional panel data drawn from multiple African economies to assess correlations between youth digital skill acquisition, digital job participation, and employment outcomes. Mathematical modelling and regression analysis are applied to measure the impact of digital engagement on labour integration.

Findings: The results indicate that digital competency has a statistically significant positive effect on youth employability and entrepreneurial outcomes, but infrastructure deficits and uneven distribution of opportunities constrain access. Countries with targeted digital training interventions show higher propensity for innovation and job creation among youth. However, digital disruption also correlates with displacement in lowerskill segments, especially among women in outsourcing sectors.

Originality/Value: This paper contributes original empirical evidence to debates on Africa’s future of work, challenging the assumption that digitalisation will automatically resolve youth unemployment. It foregrounds critical structural barriers and proposes targeted policy interventions to bridge the digitalskills gap and support inclusive innovation ecosystems.