Developing human capital in Africa: carving a role for human resource professionals and practitioners

Mamman, Aminu; Kamoche, Ken; Zakaria, Hamza B.; Agbedi, Motolani

Abstract

Africa is a continent with remarkable economic potential yet the least developed largely due to its inadequate human capital to transform this potential into social and economic development. The focus on provision of classroom education as the cornerstone of human capital development in Africa has not produced the desirable outcomes expected. We see an important role in this process within the workplace, and thus argue that the role of Human Resource (HR) professionals in Human Capital development in Africa deserves serious attention. The paper outlines why and how HR professionals can contribute to the development of Africa's human capital. It also highlights the challenges HR professionals will face and the competencies they will need to address the challenges. The paper concludes with suggestions for further research.

Citation

Mamman, A., Kamoche, K., Zakaria, H. B., & Agbedi, M. (2018). Developing human capital in Africa: carving a role for human resource professionals and practitioners. Human Resource Development International, 21(5), 444-462. https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2018.1464290

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 28, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Apr 25, 2018
• Publication Date: Oct 20, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 4, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 26, 2019
• Journal: Human Resource Development International
• Print ISSN: 1367-8868
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-8374
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 444-462
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13678868.2018.1464290
• Keywords: Human Capital Development; Human Resource professionals; HR roles; African Development
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1364431
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13678868.2018.1464290
• Additional Information: This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Human Resource Development International on 25/04/2018 , available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13678868.2018.1464290
• Contract Date: Dec 4, 2018