Africa’s industrial ambitions are taking centre stage in Lusaka this week as the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD), in partnership with the Government of Zambia, hosts the Industrial Skills Week Africa (ISWA) 2025 from September 9–10 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre.

Held under the theme “Powering Africa’s Industrial Future by Advancing the Skills Ecosystem,” the two-day continental gathering brings together policymakers, industry leaders, academics, development partners, and young innovators to address Africa’s urgent skills gap and accelerate the pace of industrialisation.

ISWA is in line with growth in Africa’s working-age population, which is projected to surpass one billion by 2035, creating both opportunity and pressure on labour markets. Despite this youthful population growth projection, over 60 percent of youth remain unemployed or engaged in vulnerable work, while an estimated 11 million new jobs are required annually by 2030 to meet demand.

Experts warn that the persistent mismatch between training and industry needs is hampering growth in critical sectors such as manufacturing, mining, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and green industries. ISWA is designed to move beyond dialogue and focus on practical solutions. Its objectives include:

• Showcasing innovations that link Technical Education, Vocational Entrepreneurship and Training (TEVET) to employment and entrepreneurship.

• Promoting labour market intelligence and future skills forecasting.

• Build youth and women’s participation in Africa’s industrial transformation.

• Highlighting the continent's leadership in demand-driven TEVET reform.

Speaking during the opening of ISWA, Minister of Technology and Science, Felix Mutati underscored the centrality of collaboration in building a resilient skills ecosystem.

“Government sets policy, industry creates opportunities, academia produces knowledge, and development partners support innovation,” he said.

Mr. Mutati said Zambia has made milestones in TEVET enrolments from 34,000 to 100,000 in just four years, supported by expanded sponsorships through the TEVET Fund and Contstituency Development Fund (CDF) Skills Bursary. The Ministry has implemented reforms in TEVET in digital innovationand greening skills. 

Delegates are focusing discussions on:

• Bridging the skills-industry mismatch.

• Addressing youth unemployment.

• Strengthening government–industry–academia partnerships.

• Expanding access to training for youth and women.

• Moving from talk to tangible action.

• Sharing best practices across borders, including Zambia’s collaboration with Zimbabwe and South Africa.

• Aligning initiatives with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 for inclusive and innovative growth.

Meanwhile, Ministry of Technology and Science Permanent Secretary, Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu stressed the need for adaptable and forward-looking skills systems.

“Africa must accelerate industrialisation through dynamic skills ecosystems. The Marketplace Innovation Exhibition at ISWA demonstrates our readiness to industrialise through local ingenuity,” he said.

He further emphasised Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), which places human capital development, digital skills, and green growth at the centre of the country’s transformation agenda.