Sekai Manyere and Sharon Jiyamwa
ZIMBABWE is set to host the third edition of Africa Skills Week next week, with more than 1 600 local and international delegates expected in Harare for the continental event aimed at linking skills development to jobs, enterprise growth and industrialisation.
The event will run from October 12 to 16 at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) under the theme: “Skills for resilient and competitive african industries, from training to value creation.”
Skills Audit and Development Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere yesterday said the country was ready to host the event, which is being held in partnership with the African Union Commission.
“The country expects over 644 international delegates, over 1 000 local delegates and more than 60 exhibitors with several foreign ministers expected to attend,” he said.
The conference is aligned with the African union Agenda 2063 and the bloc’s education and skills strategies, including the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (2026–2035) and the Continental TVET Strategy (2025–2034).
Invitations have been sent to African Union member States and embassies, while more than 150 Zimbabwean institutions and development partners have been engaged to participate.
The programme will focus on youth and industrialisation, artificial intelligence and the skills revolution, private-sector and diaspora contributions to skills development, the green transition, and the shift from training to value creation.
Dr Muswere said preparations had followed African Union guidelines, while an AUC Evaluation Mission that visited Zimbabwe from September 9 to 11 had confirmed the country’s readiness.
The host agreement between the AUC and the Government of Zimbabwe is expected to be signed on October 11.
Zimbabwe has also stepped-up publicity ahead of the event, with billboards erected along major roads and promotional material being aired on ZBC-TV.
Digital screens carrying Africa Skills Week messages have also been installed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.
Security and accreditation will take place from October 9 to 11.
A 24-hour first-aid station will operate at Rainbow Towers, supported by medical teams from Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Milton Park Medical Centre, Avenues Clinic and St Anne’s Hospital.
President Mnangagwa is expected to launch the event on October 12 by touring exhibition stands.
On October 14, the programme will include a Youth Summit and field visits to key learning, training and industrial sites, including Harare Institute of Technology, Belvedere Technical Teachers College, University of Zimbabwe, Zengeza 2 High School, Msasa Industrial Training Centre and Geo-Pomona Waste Management Centre.
A flagship plenary on October 15 will focus on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) priority value chains, with a special session on scaling global skills pacts.
The week will end on October 16 with the adoption of a communiqué, followed by a farewell cocktail and cultural performance.
Dr Muswere said hosting Africa Skills Week would allow Zimbabwe to showcase its skills audit and development programmes while learning from other African countries.
“It will bring together institutions, industry and young innovators with policy makers, investors and partners,” he said.
He said the event should result in practical partnerships, new training opportunities and stronger links between the skills system and industry.
“Africa Skills Week is about turning training into jobs, enterprises and shared prosperity for our young people,” said the minister.
He urged the media, institutions, private sector and the public to participate in telling the story of the event and its outcomes.
