This Is The Most In-Demand Skillset In MENA Region

Here's some good news for freelancers! Leading companies in the MENA as well as in APAC and Africa are turning to agile workforce models to adapt quickly to market fluctuations and unforeseen challenges. The MENA region, in particular, is seeing a remarkable increase in demand for freelance talent across various sectors such as IT, banking, finance, real estate, construction, energy, and hospitality. This surge in demand is part of the region's efforts to diversify its economy away from oil dependency and towards a knowledge and skills-based economy.

Outsized, the leading on-demand talent platform in the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, and Africa, has witnessed a surge in demand for independent skilled talent as companies in the MENA region implement more agile workforce models. According to Outsized's third annual Talent-On-Demand 2024 report, based on data from its platform, the MENA region has experienced 142% growth in freelancer registrations from 2022, making it one of the fastest-growing freelance economies.

The Talent-On-Demand 2024 report highlights the top skills in demand in the MENA region, which include Finance, Risk, Product and Proposition, Sales, Marketing, and Change Management. Unlike the global trend where technology and data analysis dominate, the MENA region shows a broader scope of skills. The report also predicts that new macro trends like Environmental Social Governance, sustainability, data analytics, and procurement will further accelerate the demand for skilled independent talent in the region.

One key finding of the report is that the on-demand talent pool in the MENA region has the highest average expertise, with professionals boasting an average of 10.1 years of experience. Additionally, the report reveals that day rates for MENA professionals stand at US$309, ranking third behind Southeast Asia (US$544) and Africa (US$316).

According to a report, the UAE’s freelancing sector is expected to experience significant growth, driven by a global skills shortage anticipated to leave 85.2 million jobs unfilled by 2030, notably in sectors like finance and business services.

Azeem Zainulbhai, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer at Outsized, emphasized the value of agility and specialized expertise that on-demand skilled professionals provide in high-growth markets like the MENA region. He stated that more businesses in the region are recognizing this value and leveraging Outsized's platform to access the international talent pool. Zainulbhai believes that this shift towards on-demand talent signifies a strategic transition towards a more data-informed and technology-focused business environment.

As the region undergoes rapid modernization and digital transformation, the adoption of agile work models becomes crucial to seize growing opportunities. However, companies face challenges due to a lack of niche expertise and the limitations of traditional hiring practices. In the technology sector, for example, there is an acute capacity and capability gap, which has led to investments in retraining and reskilling. Consulting firms in Saudi Arabia and the UAE also struggle with the scarcity of specialized skills and rely on global talent platforms to source talent globally.

Outsized offers a unique feature called Virtual Bench, which allows enterprises to visualize and access an "always-on" talent pool via a dashboard. This feature enables companies to quickly deploy skilled, pre-vetted resources to fill and manage workforce capacity. By adopting a leaner business model and engaging independent consultants as needed, firms can minimize idle time and reduce operational costs. Integrating freelancers also brings fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, enhancing creative problem-solving and knowledge transfer. Additionally, the ability to evaluate potential permanent hires based on fit and performance through the "try before you buy" facet is another advantage of working with Outsized.

Looking ahead to 2024, companies are expected to further embrace agile talent and see independent professionals as a competitive advantage. Instead of using them only for specific projects, businesses will proactively leverage them at scale. Partnering with global talent platforms like Outsized will enable companies to access and deploy pre-vetted skilled talent and create inclusive work environments that harness the full potential of both permanent and independent professionals.