03/09/2026
How do we design TVET systems for the economies young Africans are actually entering, and the economies we want to build?
In partnership with Imaginable Futures, we led Sub-Theme 5: Boosting TVET, Skills Development and Youth Agency in the World of Work at the 2nd East African Community Regional Conference on Education.
Government officials, TVET institutions, employers, researchers, development partners, and young people themselves came together to ask what it will actually take to move skills development from certificates to careers, covering labour market demand, informality, emerging sectors, work-based learning, industry co-ownership, entrepreneurship, and the real transition from training into work.
Our Interim CEO, Alvin Mukabwa, put it plainly:
"We are not just dealing with skills gaps; we are dealing with jobs gaps as well."
And Sam Ugasha of Imaginable Futures reminded everyone why this isn't one organisation's job to solve:
"We need collective wisdom, we need pooling of resources, and we need continuous engagement and learning from one another."
For us, the real measure of TVET isn't how many young people complete training. It's whether they can navigate, shape, and benefit from Africa's changing economies.
A huge thank you to every participant who shared experiences, challenged assumptions, and contributed ideas, from government and employers to TVET leaders, researchers, development partners, and, importantly, young people themselves.
The work continues, ensuring TVET systems are judged not simply by how many young people complete training, but by whether they can navigate, shape, and benefit from Africa’s changing economies.
