The African Union (AU) has announced that the second Africa Skills Week (ASW) will take place from October 13–17, 2025, in Addis Ababa, marking a major step in the continent’s push to link skills development with industrialization, innovation, and inclusive growth.

Following its debut in Accra in 2024, this year’s edition is themed “Powering Africa's Industrial Future: Skills for Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability.” The focus will be on technical and vocational training (TVET) as a driver of productivity, job creation, and economic transformation across key sectors such as agribusiness, manufacturing, construction, digital technologies, and green energy.

High-level ministerial sessions, industry panels, and exhibitions will bring together policymakers, business leaders, educators, and development partners to explore strategies for building a future-ready workforce. Special platforms will allow young innovators and women entrepreneurs to showcase their projects, connect with investors, and receive mentorship. In-person attendees will also visit industrial parks and innovation hubs, while several sessions will be streamed online for broader participation.

“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,” said Ali Youssouf Mohammed, Chairman of the African Union Commission.

The event comes at a critical time. Africa’s labor market remains under strain, with over 70% of youth aged 25–29 working in insecure jobs in 2023, and women comprising 60% of those not in employment, education or training (NEET) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The AU emphasizes that stronger skills systems and inclusive education-to-employment pipelines are essential to address these challenges.

ASW 2025 is also aligned with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to ensure that Africa’s workforce is equipped to compete and innovate within the emerging single market. The AU sees vocational education as a strategic tool not just for employment, but for driving economic integration and resilience.

This year’s summit builds on momentum from Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA 2025), held in Lusaka, Zambia, which focused on emerging technologies and new partnerships between governments, schools, and the private sector.

As Africa’s youth population continues to grow, the message from Addis Ababa is clear: future-ready skills are not just a development goal—they are the foundation for Africa’s economic transformation.

Source: African Union Commission Press Release – October 2025

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