Salesforce, the American business software company known for its customer relationship management (CRM) software, is making a strategic move to tap into emerging markets, with Nigeria being a key focus. The company’s Senior Talent Program Manager, Ursula Fear, recently visited Nigeria and shared insights into Salesforce’s approach to talent development in the region.
Africa’s large youth population, particularly in Nigeria, has drawn global attention. With more than 60% of Africa’s population under 25, there is a significant opportunity for talent development. However, persistent unemployment and underdeveloped skills remain challenges. Salesforce aims to address these issues by prioritizing grooming local talent to contribute meaningfully to the global workforce.
In the past three years, Salesforce has established legal entities in South Africa and Morocco and is now expanding its presence in Kenya, Egypt, and Nigeria. The company offers a range of cloud-based products, including Slack and Tableau, popular for communication and data visualization, respectively. The Nigerian market, with its growing adoption of digital tools by businesses, presents a lucrative opportunity for global CRM entities.
In just three months of entering the Nigerian market, Salesforce secured its largest Slack client in Africa. The company’s approach to capturing the market is centered around talent development. Salesforce encourages organic movement within the Salesforce ecosystem through its Trailblazer Community. This community supports skill-building and contributes to Salesforce’s mission of empowering individuals with skills that will drive innovation and economic growth.
The Trailblazer Community is a key component of Salesforce’s talent development strategy. Supported by Salesforce through funding and resources, these communities provide skill-building, mentorship, and networking opportunities. The Trailblazer Community hosts events like the West Africa Dreamin’ conference, bringing together talent, mentors, partners, and customers.
Central to the Trailblazer Community is Trailhead, a free e-learning platform designed to make professional education accessible and engaging. Trailhead offers modules for beginners and advanced users to earn globally recognized certifications in Salesforce courses, data analytics, app development, and soft skills. Salesforce emphasizes the importance of soft skills alongside technical qualifications in navigating a constantly changing professional environment.
To further strengthen its talent development approach, Salesforce partners with universities, government, and private organizations to embed upskilling into existing workforces. The company’s focus on ecosystem growth through community building is evident in its 1-1-1 model, where 1% of Salesforce equity, product, and volunteer hours go into community building.
As the gap between academic qualifications and job readiness widens globally, Salesforce’s focus on talent development and upskilling is crucial. By investing in human capital and empowering individuals with skills, Salesforce is not only driving innovation but also fostering economic growth in Nigeria and beyond. The challenges of importing skills and the need to empower local talent in Africa have been highlighted by a Salesforce Business Analyst, Dangsenpenan Nokshuwan. Nokshuwan, a Nigerian-born professional, shared his journey of transitioning into a career in the UK through Salesforce courses.
Two years ago, while working as a project manager at MainOne in Lagos, Nokshuwan gained exposure to Salesforce. His curiosity led him to delve deeper into the platform, pushing him to attend classes held in Canada during odd hours due to time zone differences. Despite the intense schedule, his determination paid off as he successfully transitioned into a career as a Salesforce Business Analyst.
Recognizing the need for a local Salesforce community in Nigeria, Nokshuwan took the initiative to establish one, which has since grown and provided support to aspiring professionals. Through his efforts, he also secured vouchers from the global Salesforce community to assist members in obtaining certifications without additional costs.
As the lead organizer of West Africa Dreamin’, Nokshuwan is dedicated to nurturing a vibrant Salesforce community across the continent. Despite the challenges of unemployment and skill placement, Salesforce remains committed to finding innovative solutions. The company focuses on delivering world-class courses that develop in-demand skills, paving the way for meaningful employment opportunities.
By partnering with customers and local businesses, Salesforce aims to create a conducive environment for skills development and talent retention. The company’s strategy goes beyond business objectives, as it seeks to invest in human capital and empower individuals to participate in the global digital economy.
While the immediate establishment of a legal entity in Nigeria may not be on the horizon, Salesforce’s long-term goal is to support talent growth in emerging markets. By investing in human capital, the company not only builds a sustainable user base but also contributes to the economic development of the continent.
