By African Skills Network | 2025
Plumbers —often overlooked, yet indispensable—is at the heart of Africa’s development story. While we celebrate bold visions like smart cities, modern housing, and universal access to clean water and sanitation, it is the plumber who makes these aspirations a reality. Behind every functioning tap, every flush toilet, and every water system lies the skilled hand of a plumber—quietly shaping the infrastructure that drives public health, dignity, and progress.
Today, as Africa races toward achieving its infrastructure and human development goals, it’s time to elevate plumbing from the margins to the center of the continental agenda.
Plumbing: The Backbone of Health, Housing, and Industry
In the words of the World Health Organization, safe water and sanitation are cornerstones of public health. Yet, in many African countries, only a fraction of the population has access to piped water at home. In Kenya, for example, just 30% of people have such access—a figure that underscores the monumental task ahead.
At the heart of this challenge lies a simple truth: Africa doesn’t just have a water access crisis—it has a plumbing workforce crisis.
Across the continent, there are only a few hundred thousand plumbers—most of them informally trained, and the vast majority concentrated in cities. In Kenya, a country of over 50 million, it’s estimated that there are fewer than 2,000 certified plumbers. South Africa fares better, with over 95,000 people in the plumbing industry, but even there, nearly 87% lack formal trade qualifications.
This mismatch between critical needs and skilled manpower is holding back progress. It’s time to act.
Who Are Africa’s Plumbers?
The African plumbing workforce is:
- Overwhelmingly male—with women making up only a sliver of the trade.
- Aging—with a large share in the 35–49 age group and few young entrants.
- Mostly informal—trained through experience, not formal institutions.
- Underpaid or underutilized—especially those in rural or informal sectors.
And yet, plumbers are entrepreneurs, problem-solvers, and essential workers. They power urban development, enable dignified living in rural homes, and make health systems functional.
But they do so with limited recognition, support, or training.
Training the Next Generation: A Turning Point
Fortunately, we are seeing a quiet revolution. Governments and partners are investing in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). Kenya grew its TVET enrollment from 55,000 in 2013 to over 249,000 by 2021, and plumbing is increasingly on the radar.
Innovative models are also emerging:
- Swisscontact’s PropelA program is pioneering dual apprenticeships in Kenya—mixing classroom and paid on-the-job learning for youth aged 18+.
- LIXIL’s GIVE Initiative is setting up training centers in countries like Ghana, with plans to scale further.
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is allowing experienced but uncertified plumbers to gain credentials and improve their earning power.
These programs are bridging the skills gap and proving that when industry, government, and civil society come together, transformation is possible.
What Does Plumbing Pay? More Than You Think.
While perceptions linger that plumbing is “low-end” work, the numbers tell a different story:
- In Kenya, a certified plumber in Nakuru charges KSh 2,500 per day, up from KSh 1,000 five years ago.
- In South Africa, experienced plumbers earn upwards of R195,000 annually—over $10,000 USD.
- Self-employed plumbers in both countries often out-earn their salaried peers, especially those who build a brand and reputation.
The reality? Plumbing is not just a job. It is a pathway to prosperity.
What Needs to Happen Now?
To unleash the full potential of Africa’s plumbing workforce, we call on stakeholders to:
- Integrate plumbing into national development strategies—from housing to health to climate resilience.
- Invest in youth and women—through mentorships, scholarships, and exposure campaigns that de-stigmatize the trade.
- Standardize certification across borders to enable regional mobility and global competitiveness.
- Support informal plumbers to access training, finance, and recognition through flexible learning models.
- Establish strong trade associations to represent plumbers, drive quality, and build pride in the profession.
The African Skills Network Commitment
At the African Skills Network, we believe in building a continent where skilled workers are recognized as nation builders. Plumbers are not just installers of pipes. They are guardians of health, enablers of dignity, and architects of progress.
As we look to 2030 and beyond, let us ensure that every home built, every hospital constructed, and every village connected to clean water includes a trained, empowered, and respected African plumber.
Because when we invest in plumbers, we invest in the future of Africa.
Join us in spotlighting and supporting skilled trades across the continent. To collaborate, support, or tell your story, reach out to info@myafricanskills.org.