Employability Trends in Africa: The Role of Higher Education

Abstract

This study investigated about employability trends in Africa, highlighting on the role of higher education. The study treated published papers as units for data collection and analysis. Following the identification of the literature, the study deployed a systematic review of the literature. The presentation of findings took place using the narrative approach. Based on the findings, the study concludes that graduates’ employability in Africa is higher and is mainly associated with lack of employability skills, including social skills, lifelong learning skills and entrepreneurial skills.  The problem may only be resolved when universities integrate such skills in the teaching and learning processes. Therefore, the study recommends that universities in Africa need to integrate employability skills in the teaching and learning process to produce employable graduates and prevent the potential cost in providing the graduates with the missing employability skills.