Salesforce, a giant in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology, recently hosted its first-ever media roundtable in Nigeria at the Landmark Hotel.
Themed “Salesforce’s Talent Development Strategy in Africa: A Focus on Business Growth,” the roundtable focused on Salesforce’s business empowerment in Africa, bridging digital skills gaps, and driving economic growth across the region.
Ursula Fear, senior talent programme manager at Salesforce, shared insights into the company’s initiatives to develop talent, create jobs, and promote sustainability in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Empowering Africa’s Youth: Salesforce’s Trailhead and Skills Initiatives
At the heart of Salesforce’s talent development is its free learning platform, Trailhead. “Trailhead is where anyone—whether a bank teller or a university graduate—can earn badges, points, and rankings, enabling healthy competition within organisations,” said Fear.
She acknowledged the challenges graduates face in securing employment despite multiple certifications. “Five years ago, a Salesforce certification could secure a job but today, you can have five certifications and no experience and still struggle,” she noted.
To address this, Salesforce stressed the need for work-integrated learning models and internships to bridge the gap between technical knowledge and practical application.
Beyond technical expertise, Salesforce trains the African workforce with soft skills such as behavioural and communication skills needed to thrive in today’s work environment.
“We’re seeing shorter interventions with a stronger focus on soft skills to ensure individuals are prepared for real-world environments,” Fear emphasised.
West Africa Dreamin’ ignites innovation at inaugural Salesforce conference in Lagos
Building Ecosystems: The Trailblazer Community
Salesforce’s Trailblazer initiative, which Fear described as “a global representation of agents of change,” promotes a global network of learners, partners, and professionals.
She explained, “When you put on a Trailblazer badge, you are a pioneer, a person that drives change in your community. Through Salesforce, we believe that business is the platform for change.”
One of the company’s collaborative initiatives is the ‘West Africa Dreamin’ Conference, which she described as “a platform for knowledge-sharing and building a strong digital economy.”
The Conference, held recently at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, convened professionals, businesses, and developers to explore the transformative prospects of Salesforce technologies.
Organised by a community of Salesforce enthusiasts, the event stimulated collaboration and innovation within the West African tech industry.
Attendees had the opportunity to engage in specialised training sessions, interactive workshops, and thought-provoking discussions, gaining insights into current industry trends and challenges.
A highlight of the conference was its emphasis on inclusivity and talent empowerment through platforms like Trailhead, Salesforce’s free learning hub that trains users with in-demand tech skills.
According to Fear, events like West Africa Dreamin’ build strong professional networks and create ways for African talent to access global opportunities.
AI Literacy: Empowering Human Potential
With artificial intelligence becoming a big part of global businesses, Salesforce is promoting AI literacy through free certification programmes available until December 2025.
Its latest innovation, AgentForce, combines AI with human expertise, stressing the company’s belief in collaboration over replacement. “We don’t believe AI will replace humans. Rather, we see AI and humans working together,” Fear explained.
Designed with user-friendly modules, the AI certifications help learners understand and leverage AI effectively in their careers.
“Our training is entirely free. It doesn’t matter who you are; if you’re interested in building fit-for-purpose skills, you are 100% invited.”
Sustainability and Equality as Core Values
Innovation is woven into Salesforce’s operations. “Every four months, we introduce the latest advancements through our quarterly product releases, ensuring our customers’ success,”Fear revealed.
“We believe in leveraging AI and human expertise together. By 2028, we anticipate creating 11.2 million new jobs globally and generating $2.2 trillion in new business revenue through our ecosystem.”
On sustainability, Fear introduced Salesforce’s Net Zero Cloud,a platform designed to support climate action. “Equality and sustainability are integral to our strategy and we are focused on addressing global challenges like climate change and inequality,” she noted.
Expanding Impact in Rural and Academic Communities
Salesforce’s talent development initiatives are not limited to urban centres. Fear highlighted a project in South Africa where the company established a digital hub in a town with a 66% unemployment rate. “The goal is to bring digital skills to rural areas, transforming them into centres of economic activity,” she explained.
Salesforce partners with academic institutions to provide free resources and training. At Stellenbosch University in South Africa, for example, the company has integrated Tableau into the supply chain logistics curriculum. “The model allows alumni to give back, whether by training professors, creating awareness, or supporting with vouchers,” Fear added.
Speaking on Nigeria’s prospects, Fear said, “Nigeria’s unicorns have made phenomenal impacts. There’s no reason why the country cannot have an enormous industry of digital employment and skills. Business is a huge stimulus for change, and through our ecosystem, we are driving the transformation we want to see in the world.”
On security, Fear said, “Our number one value is trust. We never own our customers’ data. They own it. Our role is to provide the infrastructure and security needed to protect that data.”
With initiatives across education, sustainability, and cutting-edge technology, Salesforce is undeterred in its goal to boost Africa’s digital growth and resilience.
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