Kuben Nair on youth employment, AI and South Africa's jobs future

Youth unemployment in South Africa remains one of the country's biggest challenges, but AI, digital platforms, and new growth sectors could help change the trajectory. Kuben Nair, Chief Technology Officer at Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator, joins What's Next to discuss practical solutions for connecting young South Africans with work opportunities. Nair explains how SA Youth – the country’s largest online youth recruitment platform, managed and operated by Harambee, helps work seekers and self-employed youth overcome barriers such as data costs, transport expenses, and limited access to employers. He also shares insights from Harambee's AI research, including how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries like business process outsourcing, customer service, and tourism. The discussion explores the role of public-private partnerships in addressing the country’s youth unemployment crisis, the importance of recognising informal skills and entrepreneurial experience, the role of self-employment in economic growth, and Harambee's role in advancing the national strategy of reduce youth unemployment by 20% by 2030. 0:00 Intro 0:58 What Harambee does and why it matters 4:19 The causes of South Africa's youth unemployment crisis 11:21 How the SA Youth platform works 15:21 AI's impact on jobs and skills development 20:15 National strategy to reduce youth unemployment by 20% 24:14 Advice for employers and job seekers Follow Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator Website: https://www.harambee.co.za/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/harambee-youth-employment-accelerator/posts/?feedView=all Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/harambee.youthemployment Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harambeeyouthemployment/ Follow SA Youth For Employers: https://sayouth.co.za/ For work-seekers: https://sayouth.mobi/