Across Africa, work tells the story of identity and transformation. Just as landscapes, languages, and traditions define the continent, so too do the jobs people perform. Agriculture still anchors much of Africa’s employment, while industry and services reflect the region’s uneven but dynamic journey toward modernization.
A dataset from the United Nations on Employment by Economic Activity highlights how labour is distributed across three main sectors—agriculture, industry, and services. On average, 47.8% of Africans work in agriculture, 13.5% in industry, and 38.8% in services. These numbers underscore the continent’s reliance on traditional livelihoods while revealing a gradual shift toward industrial and service-based economies.
Agriculture: The Backbone of Work
Agriculture remains the continent’s largest employer, particularly in Eastern and Middle Africa. Family-run farms in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda account for over 60% of jobs, while countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo and Cameroon also rely heavily on farming. Although essential for food security, agricultural work often brings lower income and heightened vulnerability to climate change, showing why many governments seek to diversify their economies.
Industry: The Growth Engine
Industrial employment, covering mining, energy, construction, and manufacturing, plays a smaller but vital role. North Africa stands out, with countries like Egypt and Morocco deriving 26% of employment from industry, reflecting years of industrial policy and investment. Southern Africa, with 18.7% of its workforce in industry, is also building momentum. Yet in much of Central and Eastern Africa, industrialization remains limited, slowing regional transformation.
Services: Africa’s Emerging Frontier
The service sector is increasingly shaping Africa’s modern economies. In Southern Africa, services account for nearly two-thirds of jobs, supported by strong banking, IT, healthcare, and education systems. Northern Africa follows closely at 52%, with tourism and telecommunications serving as growth drivers. Even in Western Africa, where services employ 42% of the workforce, new opportunities are arising through digital platforms, urban growth, and entrepreneurship.
A Continent of Contrasts
The numbers make one thing clear: Africa is not a single economic story. While Eastern and Middle Africa still rely heavily on farming, Northern and Southern Africa are moving faster toward services and industry. Western Africa sits in between, balancing agriculture with expanding services. These contrasts reveal the continent’s diverse development paths, shaped by policy, investment, and local realities.
For policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs, understanding these employment patterns is more than statistical—it is a roadmap. It shows where opportunities lie, where interventions are needed, and how millions of Africans are navigating the challenges and possibilities of an evolving economy.