Author name: Business Outlook Africa

The Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group, Paschal Donohoe has called for stronger collaboration between universities and industry to better prepare students for the evolving job market. Speaking at the University of Ghana on the Topic “Building Skills, Creating Jobs and Empowering Ghana’s Future” on Monday , March 16,2026, as part of his scheduled activities for his first visit to West Africa since his appointment,Mr Donohoe explained that institutions such as the University of Ghana play a critical role in driving innovation by co-designing curricula with industry, expanding internship opportunities, and supporting research that promotes economic transformation. “Great institutions like this have such a critical role to play. Co-designing curricula with industry, expanding internships, preparing researchers and innovators who drive transformation. These standards are at the heart of an institution such as the University of Ghana.” He said   Mr. Donohoe also urged policymakers to strengthen systems that create opportunities for young people, including industry-linked training, strong foundational skills, and improved labour market information. He stressed that while there is clear evidence on policies that support job creation, the challenge lies in sustaining focus and building the institutional capacity to implement them effectively. “ And then to the policy makers in this room, the architecture of opportunity is yours to build. The data is clear on what works.Industry linked training, strong foundational skills, good information about the jobs markets and having the private sector involved. The question is not what to do, it’s whether we have the sustained focus and the institutional capacity to do it at scale. “He added The World Bank executive concluded by reaffirming the World Bank Group’s continued commitment to supporting Africa’s development and expanding opportunities for young people across the continent.

The Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer of the World Bank Group, Paschal Donohoe, has urged students to view their university degrees as their starting point in their professional journey rather than their final destination. Speaking at the University of Ghana on the Topic “Building Skills, Creating Jobs and Empowering Ghana’s Future” on Monday , March 16,2026 as part of his first time visit to West Africa since his visit ,Mr. Donohoe stressed that long-term success in today’s economy depends more on continuously developing skills such as critical thinking, communication, and the ability to learn new knowledge. According to him, these skills are not completed at graduation but must be built throughout one’s career to ensure one achieves long term success. “First, your degree is your starting point. It’s not your destination. The skills that will determine your journey in life of critical thinking, of communication, of the ability to learn what you do not yet know, they’re built, they are developed continuously.They don’t come to an end at graduation. “ he stated Mr. Donohoe added that the most valuable professionals in the modern economy are those who can combine different areas of knowledge and bridge disciplines. Mr. Donohoe also noted that individuals who can apply technical expertise to real-world problems, while also exercising human judgment in areas often dominated by technology and algorithms, will have a significant advantage in the job market. “Second, the most valuable professionals in this new economy are those who can bridge worlds. Who bring technical knowledge to problems that others approach only with intuition or who can bring human judgement to domains that others can only see through algorithms. A combination of disciplines, of languages, a combination of contexts is a competitive asset. “ He also urged students to explore opportunities beyond traditional employment paths, stating that many emerging sectors are creating new demand for skilled professionals. He then identified agribusiness and the creative economy as areas with growing opportunities for analytically capable and innovative individuals. Mr. Donohoe further encouraged young graduates to be willing to build their own career paths instead of waiting for perfect job opportunities to emerge. “ And then don’t wait for the perfect formal job to appear. Your most dynamic opportunities are often in sectors that have yet to have established hiring plans.  Agribusiness, the creative economy, these are generating real demand for people who are analytically capable and highly skilled. Be willing to build your own path, don’t always follow one.” The World Bank executive concluded by reaffirming the World Bank Group’s continued commitment to supporting Africa’s development and expanding opportunities for young people across the continent.