SHRM Joins Forces with GCHRA to Drive HR Transformation in Africa

The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) has officially renewed its collaboration with the Global Conference on Human Resources in Africa (GCHRA), signaling a strengthened commitment to reshaping the future of work across the African continent.

This renewed partnership sets the stage for the second edition of GCHRA’s flagship HR conference, scheduled to take place from August 13 to 16, 2025, at the prestigious Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City in Accra, Ghana. Under the theme, “Leveraging Technology to Enhance Workforce Productivity and Optimize Efficiency,” the event aims to bridge global innovations with Africa’s unique workforce potential.

The conference follows a successful inaugural gathering in October 2024, which brought together thought leaders, HR professionals, and industry players to address the evolving dynamics of work. This year’s event will delve deeper into how digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and strategic HR practices can collectively drive organizational growth and workforce resilience across Africa.

At the heart of this initiative is a shared vision to empower Africa’s growing labor force with future-ready skills, tools, and systems. SHRM President and CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., who made a compelling keynote at last year’s conference on the synergy between human intelligence and artificial intelligence, remains a vocal advocate for investing in Africa’s human capital.

In a recent statement shared on LinkedIn, Taylor emphasized the urgency of the mission: “People are the cornerstone of every economy. With Africa on track to become the most populated continent, investing in workforce development is no longer optional—it’s essential.”

Africa’s population is expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, with nearly 60% under the age of 25, positioning the continent as the next global talent hub. Additionally, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), encompassing 1.7 billion people and projected to generate $6.7 trillion in consumer and business spending by 2030, adds significant economic weight to the region’s future.

This year’s SHRM-GCHRA conference will serve as a critical platform to align workforce development with these economic trends. It will spotlight areas such as digital transformation in HR, skill-building for young professionals, institutional capacity building, and gender inclusion, particularly through targeted programs that empower women across industries.

The conference is expected to attract a diverse group of stakeholders, including HR professionals, CEOs, policymakers, technology innovators, educators, and development partners from across Africa and around the world. SHRM members will benefit from an exclusive 10% discount on registration, reinforcing SHRM’s dedication to supporting its growing African membership base.

With Africa’s economy projected to grow by 4.3% in 2024, second only to Asia, and surging investment in sectors like digital technology, renewable energy, and manufacturing, the need for robust and adaptive HR systems has never been more urgent.

Through this renewed partnership, SHRM and GCHRA aim to catalyze a shift toward agile, tech-savvy, and inclusive HR practices that can unlock Africa’s full human capital potential—positioning the continent not just as a participant in the global economy, but as a key driver of its future.