The African Union Commission (AUC), through its Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), concluded a Benchmarking and Policy Learning Mission to the Republic of Zimbabwe held from 10-12 June 2026 to assess the implementation, impact and scalability of the country's Heritage-Based Education 5.0 doctrine.

Led by the Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, the three-day mission forms part of the African Union's broader efforts to identify, document and promote innovative African-led approaches that can contribute to the implementation of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2026-2035 (CESA 2026-2035), the Continental TVET Strategy (CTVET-34), the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2034), and the African Union Decade of Accelerated Action for Education Transformation and Skills Development in Africa (2025-2034).

During the mission, the delegation held engagements with key Government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon. Prof. Amon Murwira; the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Hon. Frederick Shava; the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Development and Vocational Training, Hon. Tino Machakaire; and the Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Dr. Jenfan Muswere. The discussions focused on the governance architecture underpinning Education 5.0, policy coherence across sectors, and opportunities for strengthening the linkages between education, innovation, skills development and industrial growth.

Welcoming the African Union delegation, Zimbabwe's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Hon. Prof. Amon Murwira, underscored the importance of education systems that are rooted in African realities and capable of generating solutions to the continent's development challenges. "Education must move beyond the transmission of knowledge to become a tool for production, innovation and national development. Zimbabwe's Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model seeks to ensure that our universities, colleges and schools contribute directly to solving societal challenges, creating jobs and driving industrialization. We are pleased to share our experience with the African Union and Member States as part of our collective effort to transform education across the continent."

Speaking at the conclusion of the mission, H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, commended Zimbabwe for advancing an education reform model that closely aligns learning with innovation, productivity, and socio-economic transformation.

“Zimbabwe’s Heritage-Based Education 5.0 model offers a compelling example of how education can be harnessed as a driver of innovation, industrialization, and sustainable development,” said Commissioner Banyankimbona. “Its deliberate integration of learning, research, innovation, and production with national development priorities provides valuable lessons for African Union Member States as they advance the implementation of the Decade of Education and Skills Development.”

He noted that the mission reaffirmed the need for education systems that equip learners not only with knowledge but also with practical skills, entrepreneurial mindsets, and innovative capabilities required to thrive in a rapidly changing world. “As Africa seeks to strengthen the link between education, skills development, and economic transformation, models such as Zimbabwe’s demonstrate the importance of building systems that are both globally competitive and firmly rooted in local realities and aspirations,” Prof. Banyankimbona added.

The mission included visits to universities, innovation hubs, and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions, providing the delegation with first-hand insights into how Education 5.0 is being operationalized. The delegation observed innovation ecosystems that support research commercialization, student entrepreneurship, technology development and the production of market-ready solutions that contribute to national development priorities.

The African Union Commission commends the Government of Zimbabwe for its commitment to advancing a contextualized and forward-looking education reform agenda and recognizes the country's leadership in demonstrating how education can serve as a catalyst for innovation, enterprise, and sustainable development. The findings and lessons from the mission will contribute to ongoing continental dialogue and knowledge-sharing efforts aimed at building resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven education systems. As Africa advances the implementation of the Decade of Education and Skills Development under Agenda 2063, the Zimbabwe mission reinforces the growing recognition that transformative education systems must be rooted in African realities, responsive to labour market demands, and capable of translating knowledge into innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth.Bottom of Form

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