African professionals urged to view volunteering as investment

African professionals have been urged to view volunteering as a strategic career investment rather than unpaid work, as experts warn that persistent experience gaps continue to limit youth employability across the continent.

George Asamani said volunteering remains one of the most overlooked tools for building capability, credibility and leadership, particularly among early and mid-career professionals navigating tight job markets.

“Volunteering is often framed as an act of goodwill rather than a pathway to professional growth. This view misses an important point,” Asamani said in a statement. “In many cases, volunteering is one of the most effective ways to build capability, credibility, and leadership.”

He said April, marked globally as Volunteer Month, should prompt a reassessment of how unpaid professional contributions are viewed, especially in emerging markets where youth unemployment and underemployment remain high.

Across Africa, labour market pressures continue to reflect a mismatch between education outcomes and workplace demands. The African Development Bank estimates that 10–12 million young people enter the labour market annually, while employers consistently cite deficits in practical experience, problem-solving ability and leadership readiness.

Asamani argued that traditional career progression models often fail to provide sufficient exposure for young professionals.

“Volunteering, when approached with intention, can help close this gap,” he said. “It puts people in situations where they are given real responsibility.”

He pointed to global professional communities, including the Project Management Institute, where thousands of volunteers contribute to initiatives that simulate workplace pressures and leadership responsibilities without the delays associated with formal promotion structures.

In such environments, he said, participants often take on roles involving project delivery, stakeholder engagement and team coordination, experiences that are typically reserved for more senior positions in conventional organisations.

While the absence of financial compensation remains a key barrier, Asamani said this reflects a narrow understanding of value creation.

“The benefits of volunteering may not be immediate, but they are significant,” he said. “It builds experience that sets you apart, creates networks that open doors, and shows your ability to lead and deliver.”

He added that volunteering also fosters professional networks built on shared purpose rather than transactional gain, which can be particularly valuable in developing labour markets.

However, he cautioned that not all volunteering delivers equal value, noting that impact depends on the quality and structure of roles offered.

For individuals facing limited entry points into formal employment, he said volunteering can provide a practical way to build experience, test capabilities and develop leadership skills that are increasingly demanded by employers.

“The question is not whether volunteering is worthwhile,” he said, “but whether Africa can afford to overlook one of the most accessible ways to build the experience its workforce urgently needs.”