IN today's global economy, the possibilities for growth and expansion are truly limitless.

Goods, services, and ideas no longer move within narrow, regional boundaries. As a market expansion consultant and The Elevation Coach specialising in purpose discovery, branding and legacy building, I have focused on creating bridges for business between Africa and the Caribbean.

However, it has become clear that trade is not just about the physical exchange of products  — it is about expanding mindsets.

To fully embrace the growing conversation around Afri-Caribbean trade, a shift in thinking is crucial, not only for business but for addressing pressing issues like unemployment.

A mindset exchange across borders

Through my interactions with individuals across various regions, I have noticed a strong drive to succeed in many people. Some are recognised for their ability to seize opportunities, whether by managing multiple jobs or mastering diverse skills.

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However, it is important to acknowledge that not everyone has fully embraced this mindset, and many are still on the journey to fully utilise their gifts and talents to achieve sustainable success.

This boldness and resilience are traits that entrepreneurs across Africa and the Caribbean can adopt to unlock their full potential and thrive.

Growing up, many of us were taught that success followed a linear path: securing secondary school certificates, earning a university degree, getting a job, buying a house, and starting a family.

While these milestones have value, they often ignore our full potential.

Globalisation demands a new mindset  — one that empowers us to embrace all our talents and skills, confident that the world is ready for what we have to offer.

This mindset shift, which refuses to settle for less, involves using every skill and ability to create wealth and opportunities for ourselves and our communities.

It is not just about cultural exchange between Africa and the Caribbean; it is about a mindset exchange  — learning from the relentless pursuit of success and applying that same energy toward building a future full of opportunities.

Mindset shift to solve unemployment

The mindset shift is also crucial in addressing the unemployment crisis that many countries, including Nigeria and the Caribbean, face.

On a recent segment of News Central, Ofon Emmanuel, a digital communications and marketing manager and seasoned mentor, shared valuable insights on the challenges young professionals encounter in today’s competitive job market.

According to Ofon, one of the main issues contributing to high unemployment rates is the disconnect between what universities teach and what the labour market requires.

Many young graduates enter the workforce without the necessary skills to thrive, making it difficult for them to find employment.

Ofon pointed out that while educational institutions must update curricula and resources, graduates themselves must take responsibility for their career development.

She emphasised the need for self-directed learning, encouraging young professionals to cultivate their skills throughout their undergraduate years rather than waiting until after graduation.

“It’s about planning your career from the early stages,” Ofon noted. “You need to be proactive and identify the skills you’ll need to thrive in your chosen field. Waiting until graduation to prepare for the job market can be too late.”

In addition, Ofon stressed the importance of personal branding. She advised young professionals to leverage platforms like LinkedIn to showcase their skills and build a strong online presence.

“Personal branding is about being authentic and ensuring that the image you project online aligns with your true capabilities,” she explained.

“Employers are looking for people who can not only talk the talk but also walk the walk.”

Her insights highlight a crucial point: to solve the unemployment crisis in Nigeria  — and the Caribbean — there needs to be a collective shift in mindset, one that encourages individuals to look beyond traditional means of earning income and explore the global job market.

Why mindset matters for trade

Trade is not just about moving goods — it is about exchanging skills, talents, and expertise. Expanding our mindset opens the door to possibilities we may have never considered.

The Caribbean, for example, has a wealth of talent, but too often, individuals limit themselves to one job or career.

Yet, the reality is that the skills and expertise within the region can be exported — not only in goods and services but in creative talents and intellectual capital.

This shift is necessary across sectors, from agriculture to tourism and renewable energy.

By embracing a purpose-driven mindset, we can create business exchanges that transcend borders, fostering collaboration with African nations and unlocking new markets for our products, services, and human capital.

Recently, Barbados' own Energy and Business minister Senator Lisa Cummins acknowledged the growing recognition of multiple income streams and entrepreneurship.

She stated: “The notion that people who are working should not be able to also have businesses is an outdated notion...

We need to develop capacity and empower our people to build and grow businesses and, in turn, build and grow wealth.

When they have done so, we must help them create generational wealth”.

This statement aligns with the Mindset Exchange  — moving beyond traditional work paradigms and embracing every talent and skill within us.

The university graduate dilemma

This mindset shift is particularly crucial for university graduates in the Caribbean and Nigeria, where many young professionals leave university only to discover that the job market is already saturated.

This  is  a  price  we  have had to pay even in Barbados, where the aim is to ensure that every single home of the over 280 000 population has at least one graduate.

The issue is not just the lack of jobs but also a mismatch between the education provided and the skills required in the marketplace.

Many graduates believe that simply obtaining a degree will secure their future, but the reality is far more complex.

Success today requires adaptability, creativity, and a readiness to build one’s own opportunities.

Graduates need to think beyond traditional roles and focus on identifying gaps in the market where they can apply their skills in innovative ways.

My personal story of translating for the New York Times Magazine and conducting market research in the Caribbean for Verizon is an example of how exploring global opportunities can open doors that might not exist within your immediate environment.

Discovering purpose

At the heart of this mindset shift is the idea of purpose.

When you know your purpose, you’re not afraid to push boundaries. You see beyond your immediate environment and recognise your potential for global impact.

This is exactly what I aim to teach in my upcoming LinkedIn Masterclass: Discover Your Purpose: Unlock the Undiscovered Global Impact Within You, happening on October 19, 2024.

In this free event, we will explore how tapping into your purpose can uncover hidden potential and reshape your approach to business and life.

I will provide actionable insights that can inspire you to take bold steps toward your goals, just as I have done with my own global ventures.

Following this event on October 26, 2024, I will be hosting a panel discussion featuring three Nigerian professional women, who have not limited themselves to just one career.

These remarkable women have explored their full potential by running various projects and businesses outside their primary fields, demonstrating the ability to fully utilize their gifts.

Their stories highlight the mindset we aim to showcase — pursuing purpose and making a significant impact across multiple areas.

Their journeys serve as powerful examples of what it means to create meaningful change in various spheres of life.

The time for expansion is now!

The time has come for the people of the Caribbean and Africa to unlock their hidden talents, skills, and abilities.

Through a mindset shift, we can overcome the barriers that have historically held us back.

We are a diverse, talented, and innovative people, and it is time we recognise the global opportunities waiting for us.

By addressing unemployment through a combination of purpose discovery, monetisation of skills and talents, self-directed learning, personal branding, and an openness to global opportunities, we can create solutions that benefit both the Caribbean and Africa.

The unemployment crisis is not insurmountable — it requires a change in how we approach our careers, talents, and global possibilities.

I invite you to join the conversation. Explore these possibilities and discover your purpose — not just for personal gain, but to foster trade, collaboration, and success across borders.

Our talents and expertise could very well be the next great export.

Otaruyina is a market expansion expert - ruyinaglobal.com