Nkebet Mesele, the Founder and CEO of Intreensic, a payments education and advisory firm, has issued a stark warning about the looming talent deficit threatening Africa’s burgeoning digital economy. While the continent anticipates a surge of approximately 230 million digital jobs by 2030, Mesele argues that a lack of skilled professionals could severely hamper its ability to capitalize on this opportunity. This skills gap, if left unaddressed, poses a significant risk to Africa’s ambitions of becoming a global leader in digital finance, particularly in the rapidly expanding fintech and payments sectors. Mesele emphasizes the urgency of investing in practical, specialized training to equip the African workforce with the necessary skills to meet the demands of these emerging roles.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 highlights the rapid growth of technology-related jobs globally, including roles in fintech engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, software development, and big data analysis. These fields represent critical components of the digital economy, and Africa needs a skilled workforce to compete effectively. Mesele questions whether the continent currently possesses the requisite skills to support the rapid growth of its payments and fintech ecosystem, despite the emergence of successful fintech unicorns like Flutterwave, Paystack, and Interswitch. These companies, originating in Nigeria and expanding across the continent, demonstrate Africa’s potential for innovation in the digital space. However, Mesele cautions that innovation without a corresponding investment in talent is unsustainable and will ultimately hinder long-term growth.
Mesele’s concern stems from the disconnect between the projected demand for digital skills and the current supply of trained professionals. The rapid pace of technological advancement requires a constant influx of new talent equipped with up-to-the-minute knowledge and expertise. Traditional educational systems often struggle to keep pace with these evolving demands, leaving a gap that needs to be filled by specialized training programs. Without such programs, African countries risk falling behind in the global digital race, despite having the potential to become major players. The success of homegrown fintech companies demonstrates the innovative capacity within Africa, but this potential can only be fully realized with a corresponding investment in human capital.
Through Intreensic, Mesele is actively working to address this skills gap by providing specialized payments education across Africa. The firm utilizes a state-of-the-art online learning management system, offering flexible and accessible courses to learners across the continent. This approach removes geographical barriers and allows individuals from various regions to access high-quality training. With participants already enrolled from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia, Intreensic’s digital platform fosters a dynamic learning environment that incorporates engaging content, interactive sessions, and real-world case studies. This practical approach aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application, preparing learners for the challenges and opportunities of the digital finance landscape.
Intreensic’s curriculum focuses on providing practical, hands-on training relevant to the specific needs of the African payments ecosystem. The courses cover a wide range of topics, from foundational concepts to advanced techniques, ensuring that learners gain a comprehensive understanding of the industry. The interactive nature of the program encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing among participants, furthering their learning experience. By incorporating real-world case studies, Intreensic ensures that the training is directly applicable to the challenges and opportunities faced by professionals in the African fintech and payments sectors.
The company’s expansion plans involve establishing localized operations in key African markets. This strategic move aims to further increase access to education and expertise within the payments sector, fostering a broader talent pool across the continent. By providing localized training, Intreensic can tailor its curriculum to the specific needs and regulations of each market, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for the local industry landscape. This localized approach is crucial for empowering individuals and driving sustainable growth within Africa’s diverse digital economies. Ultimately, Intreensic’s mission is to contribute to the development of a robust and thriving digital finance ecosystem across Africa, powered by a skilled and knowledgeable workforce.
