The growing middle class, coupled with investment in infrastructure, is likely to lead to active hiring levels across FMCG and construction companies in the majority of African countries.

Finance professionals will be in particular demand to support such businesses as they grow.

However, the effects of reduced commodity prices will continue to be felt across the region, reflected in falling projected economic growth rates in many countries.

Infrastructure spending will drive increased hiring across Africa in 2016 – a positive development for the region.

During the second half of 2015, growth projections for 2016 typically slipped to 4-5%, compared with expectations of 8-9% just a few months earlier.

Overall hiring will continue at a reduced level, and even in extraction-based industries the market for new roles will be quiet.

As companies attempt to withstand difficult market conditions, we expect the majority of placements to be in areas such as finance and country management, almost exclusively focused on replacement hires.

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