AI, AfDB 4 Cardinal Points and the future of jobs in Africa.
AFDB1JP00001676
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Status
Not Applied
Next Step
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Posted On
2026-11-03
Period
2026-11-17 to 2027-01-11
Job Type
Temporary Full Time
Location
Abidjan 01CIV
Category
Business Professional
Description
Prepare an Africa wide analytical report and policy brief on the employment implications of AI and automation, including two mining country case studies.
Application Close Date
2026-11-11
Engagement Type
Individual Consultant
Job Family
13.Economics, Statistics and Data Management
A. Background Objectives
Africa’s expanding workforce makes productive job creation essential to realising its demographic dividend. Artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and automation may raise productivity and safety, while displacing or reshaping tasks, jobs and global value chains. The assignment will assess AI’s employment implications across Africa, particularly for young people, women and lower skilled workers, and recommend practical responses for governments and the African Development Bank (AfDB). Mining and natural resource value chains, and the Bank’s Four Cardinal Points framework, will receive particular attention.
B. Scope of work
Economy wide analysis (November to December 2026) • Review international evidence on AI, automation, productivity, employment and changes in global value chains. • Assess AI adoption in Africa, identifying occupations and tasks displaced, transformed or created and differences by country, sector, gender, age and skills. • Examine implications for industrialisation, regional integration, entrepreneurship and resource based development, and propose policy responses.
Mining country case studies (January to March 2027) • Provide technical guidance for two mining country policy briefs prepared with Country Economists; the Bank will select the countries and retain overall oversight. • Assess AI applications from exploration to mine closure, including automation, safety, productivity, local content, domestic suppliers and value addition.
• Identify reskilling, redeployment, enterprise development, social protection and local diversification measures.
C. Deliverables Expected
• Draft economy wide analytical report. • Final report integrating summaries of two country policy briefs, with full briefs as annexes. • Policy brief with executive summary, data annex and editable presentation.
D. Duration and Timetable for the Assignment
Level of effort: 40 working days over a maximum of five calendar months from contract effectiveness. Draft economy wide report: end of December 2026 (67% payment). Final report and policy brief, including annexes, data and presentation: end of March 2027 (33% payment). The timetable is indicative and subject to contract effectiveness.
E. Bank Contribution and Institutional Arrangement
The consultant will work with the designated Task Manager, Dr Emmanuel Pinto Moreira and colleagues in the African Natural Resources Management and Investment Centre (ECNR).
The Bank will identify the two case study countries, coordinate Country Economists and retain overall supervision of country teams and delivery.
F. Duty Station
Remote work and virtual consultations with Country Economists may be used. Any specific duty station or travel arrangements will be confirmed by the Bank.
G. Essential Specialized Skills/Knowledge/Competencies
• Advanced degree in economics, public policy or a related field; PhD strongly preferred. • At least 15 years of experience in employment, technological change, industrial transformation or skills policy. • Knowledge of extractive industries, mining operations, local content and mining community linkages. • Relevant African experience and ability to develop actionable policy recommendations. • Excellent written and spoken English; French proficiency is an advantage. • Strong analytical judgement, independence and appropriate conflict of interest management.
H. Supervisor
Designated Bank Task Manager, working closely with ECNR Officer in Charge Director, Dr Emmanuel Pinto Moreira.
Consultancy Input Days
40.00
Qualifications
Qualification
Assessment
Regular Consultant
Less than 32 years old at the time of signing the contract and during contract execution
