Zambia Steps Up for World Skills Africa 2025: Veep Nalumango Calls for Unified Support
Zambia is gearing up for the prestigious World Skills Africa 2025 competition, set to be hosted in Livingstone. Vice President W.K. Mutale Nalumango has urged government officials, industry leaders, and stakeholders to collaborate in bolstering skills development, which she described as a key driver of economic transformation.
Speaking at a fundraising luncheon for World Skills Zambia, Ms. Nalumango emphasized the need for Zambia to learn from global leaders in skills training, such as Spain and China. She underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring the nation’s readiness for the event and its broader goals of boosting skills among youth aged 18 to 30.
“This competition is more than an event; it is an opportunity for Zambia to advance economic growth by fostering the capabilities of our youth,” said Ms. Nalumango.
The Vice President highlighted the multi-faceted nature of the event, which will include the continental TEVET skills competition, an international TEVET conference, and a wide-ranging industry expo.
Technology and Science Minister Felix Mutati outlined strides made in skills development, including over 90,000 students enrolled in various programs in 2024, facilitated by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) skills bursary.
He revealed significant partnerships with organizations such as JICA, Hitachi, and the World Bank, which are contributing resources to improve heavy-duty equipment training and support a $120 million TEVET sector transformation project.
Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Technology and Science, described the competition as a revolutionary platform for reshaping Zambia’s skills ecosystem. The Ministry has allocated 20% of the 2025 budget to skills development under the Eighth National Development Plan’s agenda for youth empowerment.
TEVETA Board Chairperson Ngoza Nkumbilo celebrated the event as a milestone for Zambia, underlining the critical role of skills development in driving the nation’s economic prosperity.
A new steering committee, comprising representatives from various sectors, including mining, tourism, trade, and energy, was unveiled to spearhead preparations.
As the clock ticks towards 2025, Zambia’s preparation for the World Skills Africa competition reflects a united effort to nurture talent and position the country as a leader in skills development across the continent.
