Africa Skills Academy Set to Bridge Gap Between Classrooms and Careers

By Aoma Keziah,

The World Bank Group, in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, has launched the Africa Skills for Jobs Policy Academy, a program designed to help African countries build training systems that prepare young people for the labor market.

Unveiled in Nairobi, the initiative brought together policymakers, business leaders, educators, and development partners from across the continent. The first cohort includes more than 250 participants drawn from over 25 African countries.

Speaking during the launch, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano, representing his Education counterpart Julius Ogamba, said that they regard this launch as a timely partnership, when the Ministry of Tourism undertakes to gradually revamp its curricula across all the hospitality-based institutions.

“Its a very timely partnership to match global best practices from sustainable tourism and digital hospitality management to specialized offerings for new trends,” she stated.

Principal Secretary, State Department for TVET Esther Mworia, highlighted that there’s there is a dire need for Africa to join hands to recognize and promote TVET as a key driver and catalyst for industrialization for Africa’s economic growth.

“Africa can leverage on its youthful generation to ensure that the youths are absolutely skilled for the industrialization of Africa. For the industrialization of Africa to be achieved, Africa needs to transform its TVET system and make it more responsive, agile and aligned with the demands of the modern market economy,” she highlighted.

The program will focus on sectors considered vital for Africa’s growth: agribusiness, energy, health, manufacturing, and tourism. Officials explained that the Academy will offer governments and institutions a framework to link training directly with opportunities in these industries, while encouraging collaboration with employers.

“Across the region, firms consistently cite skills shortages as a top constraint to hiring and expansion. This is not just a workforce issue, it’s a competitiveness issue, that’s why IFC is proud to support this academy, to help bridge the gap between education and employment, and to ensure that training systems are aligned with market needs,” remarked Mary Porter Peschka, International Finance Corporation (IFC)Division Director, Eastern Africa

She further insisted that the Academy seeks to address a challenge that has become increasingly pressing, every year, more than 12 million young Africans enter the labor market, yet only about 3 million formal jobs are available. As a result, most youth are left struggling in low-paying, informal work. Employers, meanwhile, report persistent shortages of skilled workers in key industries.

“Our goal is to help African countries design education and training systems that are responsive to the real demands of their economies. Jobs are the foundation of growth, and for Africa’s young people, skills will be the bridge between aspiration and opportunity,” added Peschka

Over the coming months, participants will take part in workshops, case studies, and sector-focused discussions. Field visits and an expo showcasing industry-led job placement programs are also planned. Organizers said the hands-on approach is intended to foster peer-to-peer learning, allowing countries to share what has worked and what has not.

The World Bank emphasized that the program is not just about dialogue but about action. Countries participating in the Academy will be encouraged to set clear priorities and commit to policy reforms that can be tracked over the next 18 months.

Beyond the initial sessions, the Academy will establish a practitioner network to keep policymakers, educators, and private sector leaders connected. The aim is to sustain collaboration long after the launch event, ensuring reforms are not left on paper but are translated into tangible results.

For many observers, the stakes could not be higher. Africa’s youth population continues to grow rapidly, and without targeted investments in training and job creation, the risk of rising unemployment remains. However, with coordinated action, leaders say the continent could transform this demographic pressure into an economic advantage.

As the Academy gets underway, hopes are high that the lessons shared and commitments made in during the will translate into stronger policies across the region, and ultimately, more opportunities for young Africans ready to work.