Bridging the skills gap in the era of twin transition: Perspectives from employers in sub-Saharan Africa

The global landscape of work and education is being rapidly transformed by the convergence of two defining forces of the twenty-first century: digitalization and the sustainability imperative. Together, these interlinked processes often described as the Twin Transition are reshaping labour markets, redefining skill requirements, and compelling higher education institutions (HEIs) to reform their pedagogical,  institutional, and partnership models (OECD, 2020; UNESCO, 2023). As automation, artificial intelligence, and climate adaptation reshape economies, the demand for digitally fluent and sustainability-conscious graduates has never been greater. This exposition highlights a critical shortage of graduates with blended green-digital skills, driven by a disconnect between regional employer needs and academic curriculum in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study argues that bridging this gap requires urgent reforms toward practical, co-developed training pathways to meet the demands of the digital and sustainability transition.