Kenyan HR Expert Merline Mboya Champions Africa’s Future of Work at Ghana’s ACCESS Summit

At the heart of Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), one of Kenya’s brightest Human Resource professionals, Merline Mboya, is shaping a continental conversation on the future of work. Representing Mount Kenya University (MKU) at the DAAD-funded ACCESS 2.0 International Summer School 2025, Mboya joins experts, academics, and young professionals from across Africa to address one of the continent’s biggest challenges, youth unemployment, and the need for decent, sustainable jobs.

The summer school, hosted by the African Centre for Career Enhancement and Skills Support (ACCESS), brings together participants from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and other partner countries to explore practical solutions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8): Decent Work and Economic Growth. Supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) with funds from the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the initiative seeks to close the skills gap between education and the job market across the Global South.

How is Kenya represented in this international dialogue?

Mboya, who hails from Kenya’s coastal region of Mombasa, is a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP-K) and an MBA student at Mount Kenya University. Her dual background uniquely positions her to bridge academic theory and real-world HR practice. “This program provides a space for African professionals to rethink employability, and as a CHRP-K, I aim to contribute practical approaches that can empower young workers and small enterprises in Kenya,” she said.

Her participation is fully sponsored by the ACCESS Project through DAAD, covering travel, accommodation, and living expenses, a testament to the project’s commitment to inclusivity and knowledge-sharing among emerging African leaders. Mboya’s focus at the event revolves around SME formalization, digital skills development, and strategies for decent employment, all crucial for tackling Kenya’s and Africa’s employment challenges.

What impact does her participation hold for Kenya and Africa?

By engaging in cross-country dialogues with academics, policymakers, and entrepreneurs, Mboya is helping shape the blueprint for Africa’s workforce transformation. “Collaboration is key,” she noted. “By working together across borders, we can create scalable solutions that not only reduce unemployment but also build resilient, future-ready economies.”

Her journey from the Kenyan Coast to the international stage at KNUST reflects the growing role of Kenyan professionals in influencing continental policies on employment and development. As she prepares to return home, Mboya plans to share the insights gained with peers and institutions in Kenya to strengthen workforce readiness and support inclusive economic growth. “The future of work in Africa depends on how well we invest in our people,” she said. “ACCESS is helping us turn that vision into action.”

Through her representation, Kenya continues to stand out as a leader in advancing sustainable, skills-driven employment solutions across Africa.

By Yockshard Enyendi