Story by Tafara Chikumira
THE African Union (AU) has praised Zimbabwe’s heritage-based Education 5.0 model and skills development strategy, positioning the country as a continental reference point ahead of the Africa Skills Week to be hosted in Zimbabwe this October.
The endorsement came during a visit to Harare by AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, who said Zimbabwe’s selection to host the high-profile continental gathering reflects its growing influence in skills development and education reform.
As Africa grapples with the demands of rapidly evolving technologies, including artificial intelligence, Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 model is increasingly being viewed as a framework capable of helping countries prepare future generations for a changing world.
Professor Banyankimbona said member states stood to benefit from Zimbabwe’s experiences in developing a skills-driven education system.
“African countries have a lot to learn from the education system that Zimbabwe has established,” he said.
“We need a Skills Summit to address the existing gaps, and we are ready to make it a success. We are confident that what Zimbabwe has presented will help other countries improve their skills development systems. Skills development is the future.”
The Africa Skills Week is expected to bring together policymakers, education experts, industry leaders and development partners to explore ways of strengthening skills development across the continent.
Minister of Skills Audit and Development, Dr Jenfan Muswere, said hosting the event presents Zimbabwe with an opportunity to showcase its achievements while strengthening links with regional and global partners.
“The chance to host the Africa Skills Week allows Zimbabwe to share experiences and knowledge. It also provides us with an opportunity to align skills development with international markets,” he said.
Dr Muswere said the platform would also help deepen economic integration and unlock opportunities arising from Africa’s growing population.
“We are masters of our own destiny. The platform helps us increase inter-African trade. In a few years to come, Africa will have a huge population. It is time we pull up our socks and achieve food self-sufficiency status through utilising our human capital,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 model, introduced under the Second Republic, seeks to move beyond the traditional focus on producing job seekers by equipping learners with the skills and innovation capacity to create solutions to societal and economic challenges.
The model places emphasis on teaching, research, community service, innovation and industrialisation, with policymakers arguing that it is helping transform education into a driver of national development.
With Africa Skills Week drawing closer, the AU’s endorsement places Zimbabwe at the centre of continental conversations on education reform, innovation and workforce development at a time when nations are racing to equip their citizens for the demands of the digital age.
