Online Reporter
Ivan Zhakata
Herald Correspondent
ZIMBABWE’S heritage-based education and skills development model has received continental recognition, with the African union (AU) describing the country’s approach as a potential blueprint for addressing Africa’s growing skills deficit and youths employment challenges.
Speaking during a courtesy call on Minister of Skills Audit and Development Dr Jenfan Muswere in Harare, African union Commission Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, said Zimbabwe’s innovative approach to skills development has attracted attention across the continent.
The visit comes as Zimbabwe prepares to host the 2026 Africa Skills Week in October after successfully bidding for the prestigious continental event.
Prof Banyankimbona said Africa was facing a skills crisis that required urgent interventions to align education systems with labour market demands.
“We are here to learn, not only for ourselves but for the entire continent,” he said.
“What Zimbabwe has achieved may seem like a small achievement, but outside this innovation can support other countries to make progress in their own contexts.”
He commended Zimbabwe’s decision to establish a dedicated Ministry of Skills Audit and Development and said it reflected the growing need for countries to move beyond traditional education systems towards skills-based development models.
“We are in a skills crisis, whether we want to appreciate it today or tomorrow,” said Prof Banyankimbona.
“The crisis is there. Industry continues to complain that it is not getting the skills it needs, while education institutions continue to release graduates who cannot fit into available opportunities.”
Prof Banyankimbona said Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 philosophy which emphasises on innovation, industrialisation and production offered practical lessons for other African countries seeking to bridge the gap between education and industry.
He said rapid advances in robotics and artificial intelligence posed significant challenges for Africa and the continent must focus on developing skills that address local needs while leveraging on its rich heritage and resources.
Prof Banyankimbona said Africa’s youthful population presented immense opportunities but only if countries invested strategically in skills development and innovation.
He said the forthcoming Africa Skills Week should serve as a platform for broader discussions on the continent’s skills agenda and potentially pave the way for an Africa-wide skills summit.
“We need to build our own World Skills Africa,” said Prof Banyankimbona.
“This is something that we need to own as a continent and develop ourselves. Africa Skills Week is an opportunity to attract the attention of policymakers and address the skills challenges facing the continent.”
Minister Muswere said Zimbabwe remained committed to aligning skills development with the country’s heritage-based education philosophy under the leadership of President Mnangagwa.
He said human capital development remained a key pillar of the National Development Strategy 1 and 2 and was central to achieving Vision 2030.
“We seek to ensure that we align our skills to our heritage while promoting education with production. Human capital development remains a priority as we work towards attaining an upper-middle-income economy by 2030,” he said.
Minister Muswere said hosting Africa Skills Week 2026 will enhance Zimbabwe’s visibility on the continental and global stage in the areas of education, science, technology and innovation.
The event, he added, will provide a platform for policy dialogue, knowledge sharing and collaboration among African countries in support of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Minister Muswere said industrialisation and competitiveness were anchored on skills, education, science and technology, adding that the ministry’s mandate included conducting comprehensive sectoral skills audits and aligning skills development with labour market requirements.
He said Africa’s future depended on harnessing its growing youth population through education, innovation and technological advancement.
“Africa is now politically independent and the time has come for us to sharpen our intellectual capability, enhance production, strengthen intra-African trade and advance our collective development through education, science and technology,” said Minister Muswere.
Zimbabwe is expected to host delegates from across the continent during Africa Skills Week 2026, with the event anticipated to showcase best practices in skills development, innovation and workforce transformation.
