Page 40 - EngineerIT AugustSeptember Issue 2026

IT

Johannesburg’s tech brain drain

raises the stakes for IT talent

ew data suggests that South Africa’s technology The growing challenge of
brain drain is becoming more prevalent, with securing specialist skills
NJohannesburg emerging as a key source of Technology roles are already difficult
professionals considering emigration. to fill because the pace of change
often outstrips the development
A snapshot of 437 IT, software, data, and cybersecurity of relevant skills. Employers are no
professionals who approached New World Immigration longer simply looking for candidates
from April to June 2026, about relocating to Australia, with broad IT experience; they need
found that around 70% wanted to leave immediately or professionals who can apply current,
within the next six months. Nearly half were between the role-specific expertise within complex
ages of 25 and 34, representing a highly mobile group business environments.
of professionals who are often building specialist
expertise and moving into more senior roles. The challenge is particularly acute
in areas such as cybersecurity,
Another brain drain downside is that, cloud computing, data analysis, AI,
when experienced professionals leave a and software development, where
company or country, organisations do demand is growing locally and
not only lose technical capability. They internationally. As global employers
can also lose institutional knowledge, compete for the same talent, South
industry context, and the experience African organisations may need
required to manage complex systems to reconsider how they plan their
and support the development of less technology workforces and respond
experienced team members. to emerging skills gaps.

By Neil Lund, Managing Director at Paracon by Adcorp

40 | EngineerIT August/September 2026