…As Jobberman hosts Remote Work Fest
Nigeria is projected to become the world’s third most populous country by 2050, and 80 percent of its population is currently under the age of 44. This projection has strengthened the belief among industry players that, if well managed, it can help African talents fill the roles in the ageing global markets.
In line with this new move, Jobberman Nigeria and The African Talent Company, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, organised the premiere edition of the Jobberman Remote Work Fest 2025, themed ‘Work Beyond Borders: Building Africa’s Global Remote Workforce’ in Lagos.
The festival brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and young professionals to redefine the continent’s role in the global economy, moving beyond the export of raw materials to the export of high-quality human talent.
The event featured panel discussions, fireside chats, and networking opportunities designed to celebrate the possibility of how African talent is shaping the future of work and how remote work is transforming how Africa learns, works, and earns.
In his opening remarks, Gabriel Akan Gab-Umoden, Chief Marketing Officer of The African Talent Company, said Talent has no borders, and opportunities shouldn’t either. The world is hiring, and Africa is ready.
According to him, “We are moving from exporting raw materials as a continent to exporting talent. That is the one thing Africa has in limitless supply. Today is a celebration of how African talent is shaping the future of work from wherever we are.”
Gab-Umoden emphasised that the festival exists to inspire young professionals to imagine careers that are flexible, fluid, and borderless. “It exists to connect remote-ready talent with employers who see Africa as a strategic source of global talent. It exists to equip you with practical skills, tools, and playbooks to genuinely be remote-ready and job-ready,” he said.
In the keynote address, Work Beyond Borders: Building Africa’s Global Remote Workforce, Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, Founding Partner of Future Africa, who was represented by Cecil Jones, Head of Product at Itana, challenged the misconception that remote work is “easy” or “lazy.”
Jones said that to compete globally requires a shift in mindset, treating oneself not just as a worker, but as a business institution.
“Remote work is not an easier way to work; it is probably the most disciplined way you can work. To survive the volatility of the global market, you must treat yourself as a service exporter to the world. You are a business,” he said.
Olamide Adeyeye, Country Head of Programmes at Jobberman Nigeria, presented a data spotlight revealing that 62 percent of international companies are actively hiring young people from Africa. He noted that while AI is expected to displace 92 million jobs globally by 2030, it will simultaneously create 117 million new roles, a net gain that African youth are uniquely positioned to capture if properly upskilled.
“The world does not just want to hire what you know; they want to hire how you work,” Adeyeye explained. Employers rank communication and self-management as top priorities. It is no longer just about technical skills, but about the ‘soft skills’ that enable talent to slot easily into any company globally without friction.”
He pointed out that the “Work Beyond Borders” initiative, supported by the Mastercard Foundation, focuses on three pillars: creating flexible career pathways, integrating African talent into global teams, and ensuring youth are “remote-ready” through rigorous training in digital literacy and cultural fluency.
“This session was truly eye-opening,” said Kola Oluremilekun, an attendee at the event, while reflecting on Gabriel Gab-Umoden’s session. He said the session has inspired him to overcome his shyness and speak confidently about his abilities.
He added that the session has also shaped his perspective on global opportunities, reinforcing the importance of connection and collaboration for success.
Motivated by the experience, Kola is now focused on building digital marketing skills and leveraging remote work as a pathway to personal growth and improved well-being.
Discussion at the festival centred on how to position African youth as the premier solution to the global workforce shortage, with 62 per cent of international companies already hiring from the continent.
The maiden Remote work festival featured a panel session moderated by Toun Tunde-Anjous, Founder & CEO, The People Practice, with industry experts including: Uwem Ekanem, Country and Regional Director, Nexford; Chinaza Nduka-Dike, VP, People Operations, Moniepoint; Ashley Immanuel, COO, Semicolon and Usman Maaruf, National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade & Investment. The panellists engaged in a discussion about what it will take to build Africa’s global remote workforce.
