China and African nations have reaffirmed their joint commitment to strengthening cooperation in technical and vocational education and training (TVET), pledging to ensure the success of the Africa Continental TVET Strategy 2025–2034. The renewed partnership was announced during a high-level seminar held at the African Union (AU) headquarters in Addis Ababa, as part of the Second Africa Skills Week, themed “Powering Africa’s Industrial Future: Skills for Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability.”
Addressing delegates, Zhang Wei, Charge d’Affaires of the Chinese Mission to the African Union, emphasized Beijing’s readiness to work closely with the AU and African states in advancing the continental TVET roadmap. He described the new strategy as “an ambitious blueprint for the next decade” and “a milestone that will advance economic transformation and inclusive growth across Africa.”
From the AU side, Sophia Ashipala, Head of the Education Division at the AU Commission, explained that the strategy seeks to build “an integrated, demand-driven, and innovation-led TVET ecosystem across the continent.” She noted that such collaboration is critical for addressing Africa’s persistent skills mismatch and preparing young people for emerging industries shaped by digitalization, green technology, and regional integration.
In his remarks, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf stressed that skills development remains central to unlocking Africa’s demographic dividend. “Our youth are our greatest asset. For Africa to industrialize, we must invest in the skills that power innovation, productivity, and sustainable growth,” he stated. Echoing this, Ethiopia’s Minister of Labour and Skills, Muferihat Kamil, highlighted the urgency of laying strong foundations today so that African youth can become architects of tomorrow’s industries.
The Africa Continental TVET Strategy outlines a decade-long plan to align national education systems with the continent’s industrial ambitions. It aims to harmonize vocational training standards, promote cross-border accreditation, and scale up partnerships between governments, private sectors, and development partners. According to the AU, the strategy also aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 16-25), emphasizing employability, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
China has played an increasingly strategic role in Africa’s education and technical development agenda. Over the past decade, Beijing has supported the establishment of numerous vocational institutions, technology transfer hubs, and innovation centers across the continent. One notable initiative, the China–Africa TVET Cooperation Consortium, connects 33 educational institutions across 13 African countries to share curricula, teacher training, and infrastructure resources. Similarly, China has helped establish joint laboratories and research centers in agricultural science, engineering, and digital technology, all vital components of Africa’s skills ecosystem.
These initiatives form part of a broader framework under the China–Africa Plan for Talent Development, launched in alignment with the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The plan seeks to modernize education governance, offer advanced vocational training, and enhance institutional capacity to meet Africa’s evolving industrial needs.
Experts note that these efforts extend beyond traditional education. They are tied to broader Sino–African cooperation in industrialization, green growth, and digital transformation. By aligning TVET programs with Africa’s shift toward renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and smart manufacturing, the partnership is equipping the continent’s workforce for a low-carbon, innovation-driven economy.
However, success will depend on strong policy alignment and domestic commitment. African governments must embed the continental TVET objectives into their national development strategies, allocate sufficient funding, and ensure that training programs match real industry demand. The harmonization of certification systems across African states will also be crucial in promoting labour mobility and regional integration.
The renewed commitment to TVET marks another step in China and Africa’s evolving partnership, one that increasingly emphasizes human capital, innovation, and shared prosperity. As the AU’s new strategy unfolds, both sides appear determined to ensure that Africa’s next generation is not only educated but also empowered to lead the continent’s transformation.
Ultimately, the partnership embodies a shared belief that skills are the bridge between potential and progress and that by investing in technical education today, China and Africa are building the foundation for a sustainable and self-reliant future.
