The smallest teaching workforce in the world
According to the ILO, teachers account for 2.4% of employment in Central Africa, 2.7% in the East and 3.2% in the West, the lowest shares in the world. North Africa reaches at least 5%.
Overcrowded primary classrooms
ILOSTAT records an average of more than 40 pupils per qualified primary teacher in sub-Saharan Africa. For a candidate, this means large classes, a heavy marking load and demand for teachers that will remain strong over time.
Public or private: an unusual split
In many African countries, pre-primary, primary and secondary teachers work in the public sector less often than those in vocational training and higher education, according to the ILO. Private, faith-based and community schools therefore recruit heavily.
How much a teacher earns compared with average income
A World Bank study covering 15 countries shows that teachers earn on average around three times GDP per capita, against around 130% in the OECD. Pay nonetheless remains modest in absolute terms in low-income economies.
Burkina Faso and Zambia at the top, Nigeria at the bottom
Teacher pay reaches nearly five times GDP per capita in Burkina Faso and Zambia, but only around 90% in Nigeria. These gaps reflect very different pay scales from one country to another.
Shorter hours and frequent second jobs
In 7 of the 15 countries studied, teachers' monthly pay is lower than that of comparable workers. However, they work around 36 hours a week against 49, which makes their hourly pay higher, and they hold a second job almost twice as often.
The countries covered by the pay study
The World Bank's teacher pay analysis covers Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo, The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Public recruitment: competitive exams and postings
In most countries, entry into public teaching is through a competitive exam or ministry recruitment, followed by a posting that may be far from home. The teacher pay bill already absorbs the vast majority of education budgets, which limits the number of posts available.
Private schools and international institutions
Private schools recruit through direct applications, often at the start of the school year. International and bilingual schools look for language, science and mathematics teachers with a recognised teaching qualification and sometimes experience of a foreign curriculum.
Vocational training and higher education
Technical trainers, vocational secondary teachers and academics are more often in the public sector. Donor-funded skills programmes also need trainers in technical trades, notably for digital and telecoms.
Qualifications and authorisation to teach
A subject degree is generally not enough: many countries require a teaching qualification or an authorisation issued by the ministry. Foreign candidates must have their diplomas recognised and obtain a work permit before the school year begins.
Language of instruction and regional mobility
French, English, Arabic or Portuguese determine which countries are accessible. A French-speaking teacher will look to West and Central Africa, while a command of English opens up private and international schools in East and Southern Africa.
Platforms and benchmarks for teaching
- ILOSTAT: ILO statistics service publishing the share of teachers in employment and the pupil-teacher ratio.
- Banque mondiale, étude Teacher Pay in Africa: World Bank working paper from 2020 comparing teachers' pay, hours and second jobs in 15 countries.
- Emploi Dakar: Senegalese general job board whose recent vacancies cover Dakar, Ziguinchor and Diamniadio.
- Emploi.cm: Cameroonian job site with vacancies sorted by city and region, and a keyword search page.
- Vacancy Mail: Zimbabwean portal with vacancies in Harare and ads aimed at the Zimbabwean diaspora.
- ReliefWeb Jobs: Humanitarian and development platform, with 824 vacancies on 9 October 2026, filterable by country and job category.
Steps to secure a teaching post
- Check with the education ministry of your target country which qualifications and authorisation are required to teach.
- Choose your route: public competitive exam, private school, international school, vocational training or university.
- Prepare a teaching portfolio with lesson sequences, pupil results and inspection or appraisal reports.
- Apply several months before the school year for private and international schools, which finalise their staff early.
- Have your diplomas legalised and apply for a work permit if you are teaching outside your own country.
- Clarify in writing the teaching hours, salary, any housing and the length of the contract.
Benchmarks on African teachers
| Indicator | Value | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Additional teachers needed in sub-Saharan Africa | 17 million | UNESCO 2016, cited by the World Bank in 2020 |
| Pupils per qualified primary teacher | More than 40 | ILOSTAT, year not specified |
| Teachers' share of employment in West Africa | 3.2% | ILOSTAT, year not specified |
| Average pay relative to GDP per capita (15 countries) | Around 300% | World Bank, August 2020 |
| Teachers' weekly working hours | Around 36 hours against 49 | World Bank, August 2020 |
Documents for a teacher's application
- Legalised subject degree, from bachelor's to doctorate
- Teaching qualification or authorisation to teach
- Certificates of experience and inspection reports
- Criminal record extract, essential for working with minors
- Medical certificate of fitness
- Work permit and visa for a teaching post abroad
Pitfalls for teaching applicants
- Paying placement fees to an agency that promises a post in an international school: reputable schools do not charge candidates.
- Starting to teach at a foreign private school on a tourist visa, at the risk of expulsion mid-year.
- Assuming a university degree is enough, when many countries require a specific teaching authorisation.
- Accepting a contract teacher post with no written contract, no payment date and no details on the number of hours.
- Applying too late, when private and international schools have already completed their recruitment for the new school year.
Questions from aspiring teachers
Is Africa short of teachers?
Yes. In 2016, UNESCO estimated that 17 million additional teachers would be needed in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve universal primary and secondary education. The ILO records more than 40 pupils per qualified primary teacher, against 14 to 15 in North America.
What is a teacher's salary in Africa?
It varies widely. According to the World Bank, it represents on average around three times GDP per capita in the 15 countries studied, nearly five times in Burkina Faso and Zambia, but around 90% in Nigeria.
How can you teach at an international school in Africa?
You generally need a recognised teaching qualification, a few years of experience and a command of the language of instruction. Recruitment often takes place several months before the school year, through direct applications or specialist recruitment fairs.
Do African teachers often have a second job?
According to the World Bank study of 15 countries, teachers have a second job almost twice as often as comparable workers. Their working week of around 36 hours leaves more time for an additional activity.
Information up to date as of October 2026. AfriqueJob.com does not recruit and never asks for money: beware of offers that demand fees.