Network administration: the certifications that boost your career in 2026

The network: an invisible but critical backboneNetwork administration remains one of the most in-demand roles in IT. With the rise of the cloud, remote work, and IoT, companies need qualified network administrators.The most valued certificationsThe CCNA remains the benchmark for beginners and intermediate professionals. MikroTik certifications (MTCNA, MTCRE) are very popular in Africa. Fortinet certifications (NSE) for network security are seeing strong demand.Beyond certificationsHands-on lab practice is essential. Network automation skills (Ansible, Python) are becoming a major differentiator. An understanding of SD-WAN and cloud networking is now expected.Salaries and prospectsA CCNA-certified network administrator earns on average 30% more than an uncertified counterpart in Cameroon.Source: Global Knowledge IT Skills and Salary Report, Africa edition 2026