SHRM teams up with GCHRA to transform HR landscape in Africa

The world’s largest association for human resource professionals, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), has officially announced a renewed partnership with the Global Conference on Human Resources in Africa (GCHRA) for the second edition of its landmark HR conference.

This collaboration is set to ignite a new era of empowerment and transformation within Africa’s workforce and HR community.

Building on the momentum from the inaugural conference held in Accra in October 2024, this year’s edition will focus on leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance workforce productivity and streamline HR practices across the continent. The 2025 conference, slated for August 13th to 16th at the Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City, is themed: “Leveraging Technology to Enhance Workforce Productivity and Optimize Efficiency.”

At the heart of this initiative lies a bold vision—to connect Africa’s rapidly growing workforce with global trends reshaping the future of work. SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., who delivered a stirring keynote last year on “Human Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence Working Collectively to Achieve Maximum Productivity and ROI for Business Success,” continues to champion the continent’s HR potential.

In a statement shared via LinkedIn, Mr. Taylor emphasized the strategic importance of Africa, saying: “Human beings are the most important asset of every economy. With Africa poised to become the most populated continent on the planet, investing in HR development is more critical than ever.”

Africa’s strategic importance on the global stage cannot be overstated. With its population expected to double to 2.5 billion by 2050—60 per cent of whom will be under 25—the continent is on the verge of becoming the world’s largest labor market. In addition, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), covering 1.7 billion people and projected to generate $6.7 trillion in spending by 2030, offers vast economic potential.

These developments coincide with a promising economic outlook, as Africa is projected to achieve a GDP growth rate of 4.3 per cent in 2024—making it the second-fastest-growing region globally after Asia. Sectors such as digital technology, manufacturing, and green energy are poised to benefit most from Africa’s demographic dividend.

The upcoming conference is expected to attract HR professionals, business leaders, and tech innovators from across the globe. SHRM members will enjoy a limited-time 10 per cent discount on registration.

As Africa positions itself at the forefront of global workforce evolution, the SHRM-GCHRA partnership offers an essential platform to harness its human capital and chart a sustainable future for businesses and economies alike.