ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – Experts and policymakers have gathered at the African Union (AU) headquarters for the Second Africa Skills Week, calling for a major push in skills development to fuel the continent’s industrial growth and sustainable progress. The week-long event, running from October 14-18, 2025, is themed “Powering Africa’s Industrial Future: Skills for Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability.”
During the opening ceremony on Tuesday, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf stressed the critical need to equip Africa’s youth with relevant skills. “The urgency of skilling our youth cannot be overstated,” he said. “We must convert our demographic dividend into a productive, inclusive, and globally competitive workforce.” Youssouf highlighted the importance of harnessing new technologies like artificial intelligence and strengthening regional integration to achieve the goals of Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The event, co-organized by the African Union and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Labor and Skills, serves as a crucial platform for dialogue between policymakers, industry leaders, educators, and young innovators. A significant milestone of the opening day was the official launch of the 10-year Continental Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Strategy (2025-2034), designed to standardize and elevate vocational training across the continent.
Ethiopian Minister of Labor and Skills, Muferihat Kamil, echoed the sentiment of transformation. “We are not simply discussing the future. We are here to build foundations,” she stated. “The crucial and key force that transforms Africa’s potential into economic power is skill.”
International partners also pledged their support. Zhang Wei, charge d’affaires at the Mission of China to the AU, reaffirmed China’s role as a “reliable friend and sincere partner,” promising continued cooperation in education and skills development to help young Africans secure employment.
The Second Africa Skills Week features high-level dialogues, technical sessions, and exhibitions. It is expected to accelerate the implementation of the new TVET strategy, better align training with industrial needs, and boost the participation of youth and women in shaping Africa’s economic future.
