EcoCash CEO Natalie Jabangwe on job opportunities in the digital economy

At the World Economic Forum on Africa in Cape Town, EcoCash CEO Natalie Jabangwe, a young global leader, shared her insights on the digital economy and the potential job opportunities it holds for the continent. Reflecting on her first WEF experience, Jabangwe highlighted the need for urgent action to address key issues such as creating jobs for young people, leveraging technology in the fourth industrial revolution, ensuring food security, and tackling climate change. As Africa gears up to accommodate half of the world's population by 2050, she emphasized the importance of preparing for this demographic shift. Young global leaders at the forum are driving conversations on healthcare, non-communicable diseases, and the role of digitization in shaping the future job market, trade readiness, and new company formation in Africa. Jabangwe emphasized the significance of enhancing financial services to drive economic activity and digital trade on the continent. She expressed concerns about the currency volatility and the predominance of foreign currencies in African trade, calling for urgent policy interventions to address these challenges. In the informal sector, a significant portion of trade occurs outside formal channels, highlighting the need for the private sector and governments to collaborate in formalizing these transactions. Jabangwe underscored the crucial role of innovation, entrepreneurship, and capacity-building for young Africans, stressing the importance of support from development finance institutions, governments, and private investors to empower startup entrepreneurs driving Africa's economic future.