Education: Positioning Skills Development as a Priority for Africa A group of people in a room Description automatically generated

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September 23, 2024

The African Union’s Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI) department, in collaboration with the AU Partnership and Resource mobilization Department (PMRM), hosted a side event aimed at prioritizing skills development in Africa as part of the commemoration of the Year of Education 2024. The event which took place on the margins of the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79), emphasized the critical role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in fostering economic growth, social cohesion, and sustainable development across the continent. It brought together private sector and civil society representatives who reaffirm their commitment to investing in education and TVET. Participants exchanged views on ways to enhance the TVET ecosystem and innovative financing mechanisms, and the crucial role of private sector involvement By,.

In his opening remarks H.E. Prof. Mohamed Belhocine, AU Commissioner for ESTI stated that TVET in Africa should not just be about providing skills for the immediate job market, it must also prepare young people about the uncertain future. “The pandemic revealed that TVET systems were less prepared to adapt to the crisis than basic education systems. This is a significant concern, especially when we consider the role that technical and vocational skills play in addressing some of Africa’s most urgent needs”, underscored Commissioner Belhocine.

Ms. Stefania Giannini UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education emphasized the need to shift the mentality about TVET, she added that young people are Africa’s largest asset.

Mr. Symmere Grey Johnson, Director, Human Capital and Institutional Development, AUDA-NEPAD on his part, said, “it is more evident that higher degrees are not a guarantee as they once were as the world is rapidly changing. There is need for evidence building and share best practices….Governments need to create an enabling environment, create platforms – where we can shape our thinking, the private sector needs to be more involved”. He emphasised.

Borhene Chakroun, UNESCO director for policies and Lifelong Learning systems noted: “it is important to focus on inclusive growth, the entrepreneur private sector is facing challenges, international investment is needed, need to enhance more Public private partnerships, understanding the labor market, career mentorship and support,…”, adding that TVET and skills development needs to be lifelong learning”.

Laura Fregenti, CEO of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), Ms. Cynthia Samuel-Olonjuwan, ILO special representative to the UN, Mr. Matthias Naab, Acting Deputy Regional Director, Regional Service Center, UNDP and Honarable Taa Wongbe, Senator for Nimba in Lineria and chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and Member of ECOWAS, reaffirmed unanimously that Africa hosts some of the fastest-growing economies of the world, calling on all stakeholders to invest in education systems that empower all young African girls and boys to unlock their full potential and drive a more prosperous future, fostering the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit required to build new industries and drive sustainable growth, consider TVET as a key part of wealth generation, mobilize more partnerships, and involve the rural sector in skills.

While on the other hand, Ms. Melanie Sany, Director for Education Development Center, Mr. Oliver Laouchez, co-founder, chairman of TRACE group, Mr. Babajide Sodipo, Ag. Executive Secretary, African Multilateral Financial institutions Alliance/Africa Club, Mr. Daniel Hailu, Executive Director for Pan African Programs and Mrs. Pren-Tsilya Boa-Guehe, Head of Pan- African Institution, Google, echoed the importance for every TVET school to teach entrepreneurship to youth and have TVET youth programs emphasizing on AI as an opportunity to equalize the continent and create technology, not just be consumers.

Prof. Saidou Madougou, Director, for Education, Science, Technology (ESTI) concluded the meeting with a call to action for the transformation of skills development in Africa.

He highlighted the crucial role of the private sector and the need to build private public partnerships, including multilaterals and civil society, adding that, TVET is a lasting solution to growth development in Africa. “Despite significant strides in education and TVET, challenges remain. According to a recent World Bank report, Africa is projected to create over 100 million jobs by 2030 yet it faces the daunting task of integrating 11 million young people into the workforce annually. One approach to tackling this and similar challenges is the Continental TVET Strategy, which underscores the importance of innovative financing and stronger public-private partnerships to enhance TVET program sustainability. The Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2016–2025 also highlights the private sector's role in advancing quality and inclusive education, urging it to support government initiatives” underlined ESTI Director.

The expected outcome of the dialogue includes among other things: increased awareness and commitment to the significance of TVET for Africa’s development agenda, strengthened collaboration and partnerships for the effective implementation of African education initiatives, and the identification of concrete actions and policy recommendations to enhance TVET systems in Africa. Overall, this dialogue represents a pivotal opportunity for stakeholders to unite in addressing Africa’s pressing educational challenges and fostering a skilled workforce essential for sustainable development. TVET remains a cornerstone of Africa's growth and prosperity.

For further information, please contact:

Ms. Esther Azaa Tankou |

Head, Media and Information Division, Communication Adviser, Permanent Observer Mission to the UN | Information and Communications Directorate | E-mail: yamboue@africa-uinon.org , Tel: +251911361185 / +1 3478127195 (WhatsApp)

Ms. Hiba Mohamed |

Advocacy Officer| Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation| African Union Commission| E-mail: hibae@africa-union.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.