Africa Skills Week 2026: Work-Based Learning and Recognition of Prior Learning for inclusive skills development in Africa

Across Africa, many people acquire valuable skills through work, informal apprenticeships, self-employment, community production and practical experience. Yet these skills often remain invisible, unrecognised and disconnected from formal qualifications, further learning and opportunities for decent work.

This session, co-organised by SASASNET and the International Labour Organization (ILO) in the context of Africa Skills Week 2026, will explore how Work-Based Learning (WBL) and Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can contribute to more inclusive and integrated skills systems by recognising competence wherever and however it is acquired.

Bringing together governments, employers, workers’ organizations, qualifications authorities, training providers and other partners, the session will showcase practical approaches to strengthening workplace learning, assessment, quality assurance, certification and career progression. It will also examine how WBL and RPL can respond to the needs of women, youth, persons with disabilities, refugees and displaced populations, and rural communities.

Join us to explore how making skills visible and recognised can unlock new pathways to decent work, lifelong learning and inclusive economic opportunities across Africa.

14:00–15:30 Central Africa Time (CAT)

16 October 2026

Format: Online (Zoom)
Registration: Register here

Speakers:

• Moderator: Hon. Ousman Sillah, SG SASASNET
• Nicholas Ouma, Senior Education Advisor, African Union Commission
• Christine Hofmann, Senior Regional Skills Specialist, ILO Regional Office for Africa
• Luca Nikola Jelic, Project Manager, Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB)
• Deborah E. Edward, Head of Strategic Communications and Partnerships, Circular Economy Innovation Partnership Nigeria
• Ms Dalia Mwya, Director of TVET, Ministry of Education, Namibia
• Mr Misheck Ugaro, EMCOZ
• Ms Priyadarshini Gupta QUEDOU-RAMJEEAWON, President of Federation of Democratic Labour Unions, Mauritius