News
UNESCO Holds Workshop on MAHE Process to Strengthen TVET in Eastern Africa
Over 50 representatives from 13 Eastern African countries convened in Nairobi to evaluate progress and strategize the future of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) under the MAHE Process. The two-day workshop was titled: "Regional Workshop on Mahe Process to Strengthen TVET in Eastern Africa" and held in Movenpick Hotel on 3-4 December 2024. It provided a platform to address key challenges and chart a course for advancing TVET systems across the region.
Highlighting the critical role of technical and vocational skills in promoting employment, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development, the workshop aimed to assess the implementation of the MAHE Process recommendations, initiated in 2016 in Seychelles.
The MAHE Process was launched in 2016 in Seychelles by UNESCO's Regional Office for Eastern Africa to enhance information exchange and regional cooperation for improving TVET. It aligns with the 2030 Education Agenda and UNESCO’s TVET Strategy 2022-2029. The initiative supports quality assurance, harmonized qualifications, and regional labor mobility through projects such as Better Education for Africa’s Rise (BEAR II).
Speaking during the opening ceremony, Chief of Education at UNESCO's Regional Office for Eastern Africa, Mamadou Lamine Sow, underscored the significance of TVET in shaping the future of African youth:
We want to provide our youth the training they need and help them be productive citizens. For change to happen, we need vision and leadership—and the MAHE Process provides the framework and coalition necessary to drive this change.
Building Momentum for Change
Participants identified eight shared challenges facing TVET systems in the region, including the integration of green and digital skills and private sector engagement. Specific issues such as insufficient TVET teacher training, inadequate entrepreneurship integration, and limited access to career guidance and financing for TVET graduates were highlighted.
Drafting a New Action Plan
On the second day, technical experts collaborated to draft a comprehensive action plan for the next phase of the MAHE Process. This plan includes detailed activities, timelines, and milestones aimed at overcoming persistent and emerging barriers to effective TVET systems.
Findings from a recent MAHE survey conducted in November 2024 were also reviewed. Participants from Tanzania and South Sudan noted the absence of relevant national policies and limited private sector engagement as major hurdles. Recommendations included fostering stronger partnerships between governments, training institutions, and private entities to support continuous upskilling and reskilling opportunities.
Key Recommendations for 2025-2026
The workshop concluded with agreement on four key recommendations to guide the region’s efforts over the next two years:
- Incorporating lifelong learning perspectives into TVET.
- Prioritizing green and digital skills in training programs.
- Focusing on foundational and transferable skills for smoother transitions to the labor market.
- Enhancing private sector involvement to increase funding and relevance of TVET programs.
In line with SDG 4, UNESCO’s strategy focuses on transforming TVET systems to promote digital, green, and inclusive economies. The strategy is particularly crucial in Eastern Africa, where education remains a top political priority, reinforced by the African Union’s designation of 2024 as the
The success of the MAHE Process and the workshop’s recommendations will set the stage for the next review in 2026, with the goal of celebrating tangible progress in strengthening TVET systems across the region.
Looking Ahead
The outcomes of the workshop align with UNESCO's , which supports the transition to more inclusive, green, and digital economies. As part of the global and regional agendas, the MAHE Process continues to drive collaboration and innovation in Eastern Africa’s education systems.
The participants expressed optimism about the journey ahead. “I am confident that the insights and recommendations generated during this workshop will guide the design and implementation of future TVET projects, ultimately enhancing the opportunities for our young people to secure decent employment or create self-employment,” said Lamine Sow.
