ACQF - From Investment to African Capabilities: Delivering the New Skills Agenda for Transformation and Jobs

Convened by the ETF, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the African Continental Qualifications Framework (ACQF) Network, this high-level dialogue will explore how strategic investment can strengthen African capabilities by developing the skills, institutions and qualifications systems needed for industrial transformation and quality jobs.

Bringing together African policymakers and skills leaders, African and European businesses, the European Commission, Team Europe and development partners, the dialogue will connect opportunities offered by AfCFTA and the Global Gateway with African-led skills priorities. It will explore how strategic investment corridors can become skills corridors, linking infrastructure and industrial investment with skills development and portability.
A central focus will be skills portability as an enabler of industrial development along strategic value chains. Transparent, comparable and trusted qualifications can enable skills to move where they are needed, address skills shortages and strengthen cross-border value chains, while expanding opportunities for workers and learners.

Experiences from the Lobito Corridor, including cooperation with Team Belgium, will illustrate this investment-skills nexus. The dialogue will also examine how the ACQF can strengthen trust, recognition and portability of qualifications across Africa.
Ultimately, the exchange will identify priorities for turning investment corridors into skills corridors, strengthening African value chains, competitiveness and sustainable employment.