How STEM will transform our building sector

A student undertakes a STEM lesson. [Getty Images]

The lack of corresponding indigenous skillset is one of Africa’s paradoxes surrounding the booming infrastructure. This could dilute the pool of available opportunities and skills in the burgeoning industry, resulting in a slower growth trajectory for Africa’s infrastructure building.

It denies Africa and its next generation, nearly a billion young people, a chance to develop through homegrown solutions. To maintain the current positive trend, Africa must increase its pool of highly skilled employees by enhancing cognitive STEM-based skills (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) – crucial for developing inventive solutions and innovations across a diverse array of fundamental fields such as health, food production, basic infrastructure, the environment, manufacturing among others.