The African Union Commission (AUC), through its Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), launched the STEM and TVET Pedagogical Innovation Bootcamp: Pedagogical Skills Enhancement for TVET Teachers in AU Member States in Kigali, Rwanda on 26 May 2026. The bootcamp brought together educators, policymakers, technical experts and industry stakeholders from across the continent to advance pedagogical innovation and strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) systems in Africa.

The three-day continental bootcamp forms part of the African Union’s strategic efforts to strengthen quality, relevance, and responsiveness of TVET and STEM education in line with Africa’s development aspirations under Agenda 2063, the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 26–35), the Continental TVET Strategy (CTVET-34), and the AU Decade of Education and Skills Development (2025–2034).

The initiative seeks to strengthen the pedagogical competencies of TVET educators through the integration of innovative Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) methodologies into teaching and learning processes, while promoting learner-centred, competency-based, and industry-responsive approaches that enhance employability, entrepreneurship, and innovation among African youth.

Opening the bootcamp on behalf of the Ministry of Education of Rwanda, Ms. Divine Niyizwebiza welcomed participants to Kigali and reaffirmed Rwanda’s strong commitment to advancing education transformation, regional cooperation, and skills development across the continent. She emphasized that strengthening STEM-integrated TVET systems remains critical for equipping young Africans with practical, digital, and future-oriented competencies required to respond to evolving labour market demands, technological advancements, and Africa’s industrialization agenda.

In her opening remarks, Ms. Sophia Ashipala, Head of the Education Division at the African Union Commission, underscored the strategic importance of strengthening innovative teaching and learning systems across Africa’s TVET institutions. She highlighted that the bootcamp provides an important continental platform for empowering educators with practical pedagogical tools, digital competencies, and interdisciplinary STEM approaches necessary to improve teaching quality, strengthen learner outcomes, and support the development of a skilled, resilient, and innovation-driven workforce for the continent.

She further emphasized that Africa’s transformation agenda requires a new generation of educators capable of delivering relevant, adaptive, and technology-enabled learning that aligns with emerging economic sectors, industrial development priorities, and the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The opening day of the bootcamp focused on establishing the strategic and pedagogical foundations for STEM and TVET transformation in Africa. Participants engaged in technical sessions on African Union policy frameworks guiding education and skills development reforms, including the implementation priorities of CESA 2026–2035 and the Continental TVET Strategy. Discussions explored key systemic barriers affecting TVET delivery, including infrastructure gaps, limited digital integration, inadequate pedagogical modernization, and weak industry linkages, while identifying practical opportunities for strengthening institutional capacity and teaching effectiveness.

A major highlight of the first day was the exchange of country experiences and innovative practices among AU Member States. Delegates shared practical lessons on project-based learning, design thinking, competency-based training, problem-solving methodologies, and innovation ecosystems within TVET institutions. The exchanges strengthened peer learning, regional collaboration, and knowledge sharing among participating institutions and educators.

The afternoon sessions featured a hands-on practical workshop on innovative STEM pedagogies facilitated in collaboration with STEMPower, focusing on learner-centred, interdisciplinary, digital, and competency-based teaching approaches aimed at improving classroom delivery, enhancing critical thinking skills, and strengthening the industry relevance of TVET programmes.

The STEM and TVET Pedagogical Innovation Bootcamp reflects the African Union Commission’s continued commitment to strengthening teacher capacity development, promoting innovation and digital transformation in education systems, and equipping Africa’s youth with the knowledge, competencies, and entrepreneurial skills required to drive sustainable socio-economic transformation across the continent.

As Africa accelerates implementation of the AU Decade of Education and Skills Development, the bootcamp represents another important milestone in advancing inclusive, resilient, and future-oriented education systems capable of unlocking the continent’s human capital potential and positioning young Africans at the centre of innovation, productivity, and sustainable development.

For Further information, please contact:

1. Dr. Caseley Olabode Stephens | Principal Officer, Basic and Secondary Education | Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation| African Union Commission| E-mail: StephensC@africanunion.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

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For media inquiries, please contact:

2. Mr. Maqhawe Freedom Thwala | Digital Communications Officer | Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation| African Union Commission| E-mail: ThwalaM@africanunion.org| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
3. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africanunion.org