Africa Skills Week convenes in Zimbabwe to address vocational training gaps

The third Africa Skills Week is currently taking place in Harare, Zimbabwe, organized under the auspices of the African Union. The event brings together governments, businesses, training institutions, and development partners to address the misalignment between vocational training and the needs of the labor market.

Discussions are focused on accelerating the implementation of continental strategies, specifically the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (2026–2035) and the Continental Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (2025–2034). Key objectives include expanding workplace-based learning, improving training financing, and strengthening links with sectors such as manufacturing, energy, food processing, and logistics.

Data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights the urgency of these efforts, noting that only 6.5% of Africans aged 15 to 29 have completed vocational training. The event also addresses the impact of artificial intelligence and automation, emphasizing the need for both digital literacy and human-centric skills like complex problem-solving and creativity.