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Voices of Resilience

Voices of Resilience

By: Na'amal
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 The number of people who have been forcibly displaced continues to increase alarmingly; as of mid 2022, the UNHCR has reported that for the first time on record, the number of forcibly displaced people worldwide has surpassed 100 million. This is a staggering figure in itself, but another tragedy of the enormity of this number is that it often overshadows the fact that every one of those 100+ million is a distinct individual who has had their life irrevocably altered and their inspiring story tends to be buried under the statistics. During the first edition of the Migration Summit in 2022, we hosted various storytelling sessions where we heard from displaced individuals, with the aim of humanising these statistics. Similar to these sessions, we are looking to amplify the voices of some incredible individuals who have overcome obstacles far beyond our imagination. The aim of this podcast is to share the journeys of six individuals striving for the dignified life they deserve. Given that education and employment are often a pivotal part of the road to a financially stable, dignified life, this podcast will share insight on their journeys, with a focus on their education paths and livelihoods. In this podcast, we hope to contribute to the shift in the narrative of refugees across the world and encourage stakeholders and listeners alike to take action. We do not want the label of refugee to define these individuals as powerless victims, instead, we intend to portray them as the determined individuals that they are with full agency to succeed in any way they desire, given the right resources. This podcast series will consist of seven episodes. It will be released in January, in the run-up to the Migration Summit 2023 which will explore the theme “Co-creating pathways to learning, livelihood, and dignity”.2022 Na'amal Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Global Workforce Shift: Africa’s Role in the Future of Work

    The Global Workforce Shift: Africa’s Role in the Future of Work
    Jul 4 2025
    Welcome to Voices of Resilience Season 3, brought to you by Na'amal, a non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to empowering forcibly displaced individuals through dignified remote work. In this episode, we delve into the exciting and sometimes challenging landscape of AI and Africa's digital future.In this compelling episode, we sit down with Shami Souvian-Orion, Chief Impact Officer at Harambee, to explore why the future of work is not just in Africa, but is African. Shami shares her two-decade journey connecting young people to meaningful work across the continent and makes a powerful case for Africa's demographic dividend as a global solution.About Our Guest: Shami Souvian-Orion is the Chief Impact Officer at Harambee, a youth employment accelerator operating in South Africa and Rwanda. Born in India and raised partly in Nigeria, Shami has lived across West, East, and South Africa, bringing a continental perspective to youth employment challenges. She previously worked at African Leadership Academy, where she founded Africa Careers Network. Shami also chairs Rwanda's Global Business Services Growth Initiative and serves as a part-time jazz singer.Episode HighlightsThe Demographic OpportunityAfrica is home to the world's youngest population and will be its largest workforce by 203012-15 million young people enter the African labor market annually, but fewer than 3 million find jobsThis represents both a challenge and the world's greatest untapped opportunityMaking the Business Case for AfricaCompanies come for cost competitiveness but stay for impact and meaningful storiesYoung Africans bring unique strengths: resilience, creativity, empathy, and digital nativityReal example: A young woman in Kigali seamlessly switching between French and English while helping elderly JetBlue customersRedefining Africa's Global PositionMoving from extractive relationships to partnerships "on our terms"Leveraging Africa's renewable energy potential and youthful workforceChallenging stereotypes through direct experience and authentic storytellingHarambee's ImpactSupports nearly 5 million young people in South Africa and 30,000+ in RwandaCreated 1.8 million work opportunities, with 8% being net new export-oriented jobsOperates a multi-channel, data-free support center with 100+ call center agentsInnovation in Adversity"Pessimism is a privilege" - African youth are optimistic by necessityExamples from Kenya's recent protests: young people translating tax legislation into local languages on TikTokRefugee success story: Young man from DRC who built schools in refugee campsThe AI ConversationCriticism of sensationalist "jobocalypse" narrativesAdvocating for AI as companion and partner, not threatAfrican youth's relationship with uncertainty as an advantage in adapting to technological changeRedesigning InstitutionsNeed for intergenerational learning in workplacesCall for political representation that reflects Africa's young demographicCreating "future-proof" institutions that accommodate youth potentialCultural RenaissanceAfrica's creative industries as major value driversNew Grammy category for Afrobeats signals global recognitionPop culture as a vehicle for changing perceptions of the continentDiscussion TopicsLabor Migration Reform: Creating dignified, mutually beneficial pathways for African workers globallyPolitical Representation: The need for leadership that reflects Africa's young populationMentorship Models: Embracing intergenerational learning and reverse mentoringTechnology Adoption: Positioning Africa as an AI-ready continent rather than a victim of technological changeStereotype Dismantling: Moving beyond narratives of war, famine, and disaster to showcase innovation and opportunityAbout Harambee: Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator operates as a labor market matching platform, connecting young people to work opportunities while breaking down barriers to employment. Based in South Africa and Rwanda, they've pioneered the concept of "impact sourcing" - demonstrating that hiring young Africans delivers both business value and social impact.Connect with Our GuestOrganization: Harambee Youth Employment AcceleratorMusic: Shami is also a jazz singer with albums available on streaming platformsFocus Areas: Youth employment, impact sourcing, labor migration, AI and future of workConnect with Us:Na'amal Website: namal.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naamal/posts/?feedView=all Instagram: _naamal_The future of work isn't just changing - it's African. Join us in reimagining what's possible when we recognize Africa's youth as the solution the world needs.
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    53 mins
  • AI and Africa's Digital Future

    AI and Africa's Digital Future
    Jun 27 2025

    Welcome to Voices of Resilience Season 3, brought to you by Na'amal, a non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to empowering forcibly displaced individuals through dignified remote work. In this episode, we delve into the exciting and sometimes challenging landscape of AI and Africa's digital future.

    We're thrilled to welcome Elvis, a renowned researcher and consultant specializing in the future of work in Sub-Saharan Africa. He's joined by our fantastic co-host, Lorraine, as they explore the transformative power of AI and its implications for employment, skill development, and cross-border collaboration.

    Episode Highlights

    • Na'amal's Impact: Discover how Na'amal has empowered over 1,500 refugees and underrepresented individuals through remote work training, mentorship, and digital employment. With the launch of the NAMAL Agency, more than 40 graduates have secured paid tech projects, proving that talent truly has no borders. Learn more at namal.org.
    • The Future of Work in Sub-Saharan Africa: Elvis shares his insights on why Sub-Saharan Africa, with its incredibly young demographic, is at the forefront of discussions about the changing world of work.
    • AI's Impact on Junior Jobs: A critical conversation unfolds around how AI is impacting entry-level positions, traditionally crucial for career development. Elvis shares findings from his research, noting that AI often helps novice workers the most in controlled experiments, yet companies are sometimes hiring fewer junior staff in favor of more experienced professionals who can effectively manage AI.
    • The Conundrum of AI and Employment: The discussion tackles the potential for AI to automate first-line support in customer experience roles, a sector that currently provides significant employment in Africa. The hope is that these companies can evolve and move up the value chain.
    • Learning and Developing with AI: Clay and Elvis discuss the shift from traditional learning to an AI-driven approach, where learners are in the "driver's seat," using AI as a tutor to address specific knowledge gaps. This approach allows for a focus on advanced skills and personalized learning experiences.
    • Managing AI for Enhanced Productivity: Learn why effectively managing AI is a crucial skill. The hosts emphasize that AI is a tool to enhance, not replace, human creativity and problem-solving, underscoring that the quality of input directly affects the quality of output.
    • Gender Disparities and AI Adoption: Lorraine raises important questions about gender disparities in accessing skills and jobs in the digital economy. Elvis shares anecdotal but hopeful observations from his workshops, where women often demonstrate strong capabilities and produce highly-rated projects once they overcome initial skepticism about AI.
    • Global Business Services (GBS) and its Role: The episode delves into the GBS sector (also known as BPO, ITO, CX, etc.) and its significance in knowledge transfer and job creation, particularly in regions like Africa. The discussion touches upon how AI might necessitate a shift in the GBS model towards higher-complexity tasks.
    • Policy and Protection in the Age of AI: The conversation wraps up with a look at the policies needed to protect individuals in an AI-driven world. Elvis advocates for a cautious, step-by-step approach to legislation, acknowledging the "known unknowns" and the need for rapid adaptation in a fast-moving technological landscape.
    • Opportunities in the Gaps: A powerful takeaway from the episode is the idea of "opportunity in the gaps" – leveraging AI to solve local and regional problems and create new entrepreneurial ventures that might fall outside the focus of larger corporations.

    Connect with Us:

    • Na'amal Website: namal.org
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naamal/posts/?feedView=all
    • Instagram: _naamal_
    • Elvis's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elvismelia/
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    1 hr
  • Refugees, Africa and the Future of Work

    Refugees, Africa and the Future of Work
    Jun 20 2025
    Welcome to Voices of Resilience Season 3, brought to you by Na'amal, a non-profit and social enterprise dedicated to empowering forcibly displaced individuals through dignified remote work. In this episode, we delve into the exciting and sometimes challenging landscape of AI and Africa's digital future.This episode of Voices of Resilience delves into the evolving landscape of work in Africa, particularly focusing on the role of digital transformation and the unique contributions of forcibly displaced people. The hosts and guests discuss the concept of "the future of work in Africa" – whether it's a distant concept or already a present reality, and explore the opportunities and challenges within this burgeoning digital economy.Key Themes:The Future of Work is Here (and in Africa):The notion that the "future of work" is not a distant concept but is already being lived, especially in Africa, driven by rapid technological advancements like AI.Africa's young population, entrepreneurial spirit, and drive to innovate are key factors.The idea of multiple "futures" of work, not just one, and the importance of a global perspective rather than an Africa-centric one.The critical role of digital technology and improved internet infrastructure in enabling new job opportunities.Nairobi as a Hub for Digital Work:Nairobi's palpable energy, entrepreneurial mindset, and strategic geographical position (East Africa, favorable time zone for Europe).Good internet infrastructure and a strong education system produce talented individuals.Challenges: Kenya's national image often doesn't reflect its potential, with media focusing on negative aspects, hindering business development.An Ecosystem Approach: Shift from financial inclusion research to focusing on livelihoods and job creation, particularly through tech-enabled companies. BFA Global's role in venture building and acceleration, recognizing the private sector as key to sustainable job creation. Fabian's journey to Kenya; Konexio's origin in France supporting refugee integration through digital skills, and its expansion to Africa to train refugees and connect them to online jobs.The importance of an "ecosystem strengthening program" where organizations collaborate, share knowledge, and build partnerships (e.g., NAMAL and JobTech Alliance's Community of Practice).Unique Characteristics of Refugees in the Digital Job Market:Dedication and Motivation: Eagerness to work and contribute to the host community's economic drive.Multilingualism: A significant asset, especially in regions with diverse refugee populations.Cost-Effectiveness: A realistic factor for companies seeking to outsource.Volume: Large populations in refugee camps offer a significant pool of potential talent.Challenges: Payment mechanisms, creating awareness about opportunities, and balancing opportunities with the host community's needs.Achieving Scale and the Role of AI:Upskilling at Scale: The need for a centralized database of skilled refugees.AI's Role:Augmentation/Co-pilot: AI can enhance human capacity, making tasks faster and more efficient, rather than replacing jobs entirely.Training & Quality Control: The importance of teaching individuals not only how to use AI tools but also how to critically evaluate and check the quality and accuracy of AI-generated content (addressing "hallucinations").Government Initiatives: Kenya is exploring integrating AI into primary and secondary education.Scaling through Secondary Education: A potential strategy to reach a large number of young people with existing foundational education.Advice for Thriving in the Digital Economy:Global Mindset: Think beyond local opportunities.Agency & Proactiveness: Don't wait for opportunities; seek them out and be willing to learn and experiment.Overcoming Fear: Embrace failure as a learning opportunity.Work Ethic: Take digital work seriously, be professional, and be prepared to work hard.Motivation: The driving force for success in a competitive global market.Connect with Us:NAMAL Website: namal.orgLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/naamal/posts/?feedView=all Instagram: _naamal_
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    58 mins
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