Survey: Africa’s CFOs seek quick automation
By Noel Wandera, January 27, 2021
A survey conducted by PwC shows that Chief Financial Officer’s (CFOs) are prioritising making their organisations more agile to find new opportunities and ways of work.
According to the survey on ‘New World, New Skills’ on work-related realities caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, says 68 per cent of Africa’s CFOs are in need of accelerating their plans for automation.
In addition, 63 per cent are looking at offering new or enhanced products or services for building revenue streams.
The pandemic has put pressure on jobs, training, accelerated e-commerce and digitized the way of working leading to structural changes in the economy.
The survey further indicates that working from home will still represent a key feature with 52 per cent of CFO’s aiming to make remote work a permanent option while 75 per cent say increased flexibility developed during the pandemic will make their organisations stronger for the future.
Muniu Thoithi – PwC East Africa Advisory Lead said” “The current workforce is in dire need of nurturing agility, being able to change and adapt to the new realities and re-skilling whereby they will be able to sharpen their skills in order to remain relevant.”
He said workers and leaders are now more aware of the impact of automation and technology will have on them and their business.
Thoithi said automation and digitisation of the workforce will not only alter jobs, but their number and perceived value whereby talent on creativity, innovation and imagination will be prioritised.
According to Kenya Bureau of Statistics, nearly 4.64 million people were jobless at the end of June 2020, up from 2.94 million at the end of March with unemployment rate doubling up at 10.4 per cent because of the pandemic.
The PwC survey further illustrates that workers are worried about their futures.