A survey conducted by the recruitment firm Fed Africa concludes that Africans are eager to find work in another African country. The survey shows that the motivations of potential candidates do not always coincide with the experiences of expatriates.
Almost all African or diaspora job seekers are willing to move to another African country to find a job. This is one of the conclusions of the first mobility survey carried out by the recruitment firm Fed Africa.
Very attractive on a CV and in demand by more and more companies, the international experience is a career stage that seems to be becoming more and more normal, commented the authors of the survey.
This is why 97% of those questioned say they are ready to change country to seize a professional opportunity. For 64% of candidates, compensation is the number one reason for considering international mobility. Then come the fit with a professional project (51%), the interest of the assignments (50%) and the advantages offered by the company (46%).
On the side of those who have already taken the plunge, the motivations are quite similar, except for the remuneration. At the top of their criteria, the interest of assignments for more than one in two candidates (56%%), then comes their suitability with a professional project (48%); compensation only comes third (35%).
“The transcontinental mobility of candidates remains extremely strong and the desire of candidates outside the African continent who aspire to pursue their career there continues. Africa is and remains attractive,” explains Deffa Ka, manager at Fed Africa. According to whom “the mobility of talents in Africa actively participates in the dynamism of the continent”.
Support candidates!
His Ivorian colleague, Maymouna Mauvois, underlines that “the Ivory Coast, dynamic and in full transformation, continues to attract talent for both entrepreneurial projects”.
Innovative projects are requested for positions in multinationals and pan-African companies. “The diaspora is a particularly essential factor for the country’s growth.”
The survey also tells us that a third of expatriates found a position through co-optation and 29% through a recruitment firm. When asked about their wish to be accompanied in the event of expatriation, the vast majority of departing applicants (96%) responded positively.
However, only 39% of expatriates say they have been accompanied. There is also a dissonance between the reasons for support desired by those who want to change country and the experience of those who have already left.
Among the latter, it was in the first place to find their accommodation that they received assistance (62%). This criterion only comes in third place in the wishes of expatriate candidates (43% cited it). They received moving assistance (58%); only 25% of those who wish to change country cited it.
Among expatriates, 56% received help with administrative formalities relating to the professional sphere (obtaining a work visa, etc.). This is the first criterion requested by applicants for expatriation (71%), who secondly want support in their job search.
The right profile!
For companies wishing to attract talent from abroad, the survey suggests offering candidates support on various subjects in order to strengthen the attractiveness and commitment to the position offered.
Chosen at 71%, help with administrative formalities related to the professional world (obtaining a work visa, etc.) is the answer that agrees more than two out of three applicants. Note that 56% of respondents who have already moved to another country for a job indicate that they have received support on this particular point.
Finally, 62% of respondents want support in the job search process. Often, looking for a new job abroad can raise questions about one’s profile, the professional situation of the country in question …
This is where the consulting expertise of recruitment firms, or headhunters, is a valued service that meets a need. This is where hunting and recruiting firms come into play: they bring their consulting expertise throughout the candidate’s job search process.
Inter-African mobility, another way to fight against disastrous immigration
This survey was carried out among 761 candidates in post or actively looking for a job between February and April 20201 The study questions both expatriate candidates (69% of the panel) and those who are already expatriates (31% panel).
The largest number of respondents came from Ivory Coast, followed by France, Cameroon, DR Congo, Senegal, Congo, Algeria, Morocco, Gabon. The most represented sectors are agrifood and distribution, finance, banking, insurance and energy, cement, metallurgy.
Reference: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/intra-africa_fr
