Don Bosco Tech Africa to Align Operations with New AU Continental TVET Strategy

Addis Ababa, October 17, 2025: Don Bosco Tech Africa (DBTA) has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing youth skills development across the continent following its participation in Africa Skills Week 2025, held in Addis Ababa from 13–17 October. The event, organised by the African Union in collaboration with the Government of Ethiopia, brought together over 850 participants, including ministers, industry leaders, TVET practitioners, and youth innovators, to deliberate on skills development for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Br. John Ngigi, Deputy Director, represented DBTA through participations in panel discussions as well as joining continental stakeholders in the launch of the African Union Continental TVET Strategy 2025–2034 (C-TVET), a framework that seeks to align technical and vocational education and training with Africa’s industrialisation and employment goals.

In response to the new strategy, DBTA plans to operationalize key recommendations within its continental network of Salesian TVET centres by:

• Aligning institutional strategies with the AU’s TVET priorities to promote coherence and shared standards across member countries.
• Strengthening industry linkages and expanding apprenticeship and work-based learning programs in collaboration with regional and national partners.
• Establishing a data hub within the Salesian TVET ecosystem to improve coordination, data sharing, and policy dialogue.
• Promoting inclusive access to skills programs, particularly for marginalized youth, People with disabilities and women, in line with the AU’s equity and inclusion agenda.
• Exploring innovative financing models to support the sustainability and scalability of training programs.

DBTA’s existing initiatives, such as Don Bosco Virtual Training Institute, Onsite and Online skills training, instructor development, and youth entrepreneurship programs, are well-positioned to support the C-TVET Strategy 2025–2034. DBTA will continue to collaborate with the African Union, national TVET authorities, and industry partners to make Africa a hub of skilled, ethical, and employable youth.

A communiqué adopted at the close of Africa Skills Week will guide DBTA and other stakeholders in implementing follow-up actions to accelerate the transformation of Africa’s skills landscape.