New Books Network Loic De Canniere, "The Future of Employment in Africa: Demography, Labour Markets and Welfare" (Anthem, 2025)
Nov 4, 2025
Loic De Canniere, a seasoned macroeconomist and impact investor, discusses his book on Africa's employment future. He predicts Africa's population will double by 2050, posing both challenges and opportunities in job creation. De Canniere highlights the unique strengths of African innovation and the rise of micro-enterprises. He addresses the impact of climate change on agriculture, the significance of Chinese investment, and the need for better educational frameworks. His optimistic view counters negative perceptions, focusing on Africa's potential as a global player.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Demographic Surge Demands Jobs
- Sub-Saharan Africa's population will double by 2050 and triple by 2100, creating an unprecedented youth surge.
- This demographic dividend only yields benefits if millions of quality jobs are created and institutions enable employment.
Low Unemployment Masks Informality
- Official unemployment rates look low because most Africans work in the informal economy and self-employment.
- Informal micro and small enterprises absorb labor but limit formal wage employment growth.
Macadamia Aggregator Creates Jobs
- Loic describes a Kenyan firm aggregating macadamia nuts from thousands of smallholder farmers and exporting them globally.
- That company created local value chains and jobs and attracted young people into agribusiness.
