Africa to convene second edition of Africa Skills Week in Addis Ababa

ADIS ABABA - The African Union Commission (AUC), in collaboration with Ethiopia’s Ministry of Labour and Skills, will host the second edition of Africa Skills Week (ASW) from October 13 to 17 at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa.

The gathering, which debuted in 2024, has been institutionalised as an annual platform to advance Africa’s skills transformation agenda.

This year’s event will be held under the theme “Powering Africa’s Industrial Future: Skills for Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability,” reflecting the urgency of aligning Africa’s workforce development with its industrialisation ambitions.

Organisers emphasise that Africa stands at a turning point in its development journey, where the continent’s youthful population must be equipped with practical, industry-relevant skills to fuel growth.

Central to this year’s discussions will be the role of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), which is increasingly seen as a driver of industrial productivity, decent job creation, and sustainable economic transformation.

The week-long program is also expected to push forward the Continental TVET Strategy 2025–2034, a key initiative under the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

According to H.E. Ali Youssouf Mohammed, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the event goes beyond dialogue.

“Africa Skills Week 2025 represents our collective resolve to transform Africa’s demographic dividend into a dynamic workforce that powers industrial growth, sustainability, and innovation across the continent,” he said, stressing that the challenge is not only to create jobs but to ensure the next generation of workers is ready to take on the demands of a modern economy.

The program for the second edition is designed to bring together a cross-section of leaders, innovators, and practitioners.

High-level plenaries and ministerial roundtables will convene heads of state, cabinet ministers, chief executives, and global development partners to shape Africa’s skills and industrialisation agenda.

Sectoral panels and technical sessions will highlight best practices and strategies for aligning vocational training with the continent’s priority industries, including agro-processing, manufacturing, construction, digital technology, and green energy.

Another highlight of the week will be a Skills Development Marketplace and Exhibition, showcasing cutting-edge innovations, new partnerships, and youth-led solutions. For young people, Africa Skills Week offers more than exposure.

Through a Youth and Entrepreneurial Engagement Platform, young innovators and women entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch ideas, network with potential investors, and access mentorship.

A Validation Forum for the implementation of the Continental TVET Strategy will also take place, enabling AU Member States and partners to share progress and harmonise policies across borders.

The event will not remain confined to conference halls. Delegates will participate in field visits to Ethiopia’s industrial parks, TVET institutions, and innovation hubs, offering firsthand insights into enterprise-based learning and how industries are linking with skills development on the ground.

Beyond Addis Ababa, AU Member States are expected to commemorate Africa Skills Week through national initiatives focused on training and employability.

Ethiopia’s leadership role as host reflects its growing investment in education and industrial growth. “Hosting this continental platform in Addis Ababa reflects Ethiopia’s commitment to inclusive skills development, including opportunities for refugees and displaced populations, as part of our shared African industrial future,” said H.E. Muferihat Kamil Ahmed, Ethiopia’s Minister of Labour and Skills.

Her remarks highlight how the host nation intends to use the week to showcase both its progress and its inclusive approach to development.

Organisers expect several concrete outcomes from the 2025 edition. Chief among them is the acceleration of the rollout of the Continental TVET Strategy, which aims to strengthen the link between education and Africa’s industrial policies.

The week is also expected to elevate youth and women as central actors in industrial transformation, while showcasing innovative models that directly connect training with employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Experts argue that Africa cannot achieve industrial transformation without investing significantly in its people.

Despite the continent’s vast resources and fast-growing economies, millions of young Africans remain unemployed or underemployed.

Africa Skills Week, therefore, arrives at a critical moment, offering policymakers, industry players, and innovators a platform to mobilise solutions that match skills with market demand.

Established in 2024, Africa Skills Week has already become the African Union’s premier forum for dialogue, collaboration, and action on skills development and employability.

It brings together governments, the private sector, academia, and young innovators to build a competitive and innovative African workforce in line with the AU’s long-term vision.

As the countdown to October begins, expectations are high that the second edition will not only advance policy discussions but also spark tangible actions across the continent.