By Caroline Washaya Moyo
HARARE — Zimbabwe has signed a Host Agreement with the African Union (AU) to host Africa Skills Week, creating an opportunity to strengthen the country’s workforce and advance continental cooperation in industrialisation, science, technology and innovation.
The agreement was signed at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), where the Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Honourable Jenfan Muswere, highlighted the importance of preparing workers to meet the demands of a modernising economy.
Minister Muswere said science, innovation and technology were central to Africa’s development ambitions under the AU’s Agenda 2063, calling for a whole-of-government approach to building human capital.
“Skills are now the most important aspect of Africa’s industrialisation. Skills are the oil that catapults the development of industrialisation,” he said.
He emphasised that Africa’s economic transformation depended on coordinated efforts by member states to strengthen industrial capacity, improve productivity and equip citizens to respond to changing labour market demands.
For Zimbabwe, hosting Africa Skills Week comes at a time when industrial growth and economic diversification require a workforce capable of supporting expanding sectors and adapting to technological change.
The country needs technicians, artisans, engineers and other skilled professionals to drive progress in manufacturing, mining, agriculture, infrastructure development and emerging technology-based industries.
Closer collaboration between training institutions and employers will be essential to ensure that graduates possess competencies relevant to the workplace. Such partnerships can help address labour market gaps, improve productivity and create pathways into employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for young people.
As industries adopt modern technologies and automated production systems, opportunities for workers to upgrade their capabilities will also become increasingly important. A more adaptable workforce would enable businesses to improve efficiency, enhance product quality and compete in regional and international markets.
Africa Skills Week is expected to bring together stakeholders from across the continent to exchange experiences and explore practical solutions to workforce challenges. The gathering will provide a platform for governments, educational institutions, employers and training providers to discuss how education and technical training can better respond to industry needs.
Zimbabwe could use the event to showcase local initiatives, learn from other African countries and strengthen partnerships that support the country’s industrialisation priorities.
The initiative aligns with Agenda 2063, which envisions a prosperous, integrated and industrialised Africa driven by its citizens and supported by science, technology and innovation. It also complements Zimbabwe’s National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), which emphasises economic transformation, productivity and human capital development.
Realising these ambitions will require sustained investment in training infrastructure, stronger links between industry and education, and programmes that allow workers to acquire new competencies as economic needs evolve.
The Host Agreement therefore represents an opportunity for Zimbabwe to contribute to a broader continental effort while advancing its own economic priorities. Its lasting value will depend on translating discussions and partnerships into practical outcomes, including a more productive workforce, improved employment prospects and stronger industrial competitiveness.
