Ten young entrepreneurs from seven countries have won the Africa Skills Revolution Competition, organized by AUDA-NEPAD in partnership with Humana People to People
The competition, which ran from 26 August to 26 September was designed to showcase the transformational role African youth play in driving sustainable development through TVET and skills development across Africa
The winners were announced during the Africa Skills Week event that is currently running from 14 – 18 October in Accra, Ghana
The winners of the Africa Skills Revolution competition have been announced. The competition, which celebrates successful career paths and inspiring stories among African youth engaged in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), has highlighted the profound impact of skills development on socioeconomic growth across the continent.
Launched on the occasion of the African Union Year for Education 2024, the competition is a key element of the Africa Skills Revolution Initiative, a partnership between AUDA-NEPAD and Humana People to People. This initiative seeks to reshape perceptions of TVET by showcasing how vocational education equips young Africans with the skills to create lasting change in their communities and tackle local and global challenges. The competition attracted 490 participants from 36 African countries:
- Aline Niyomubyeyi, 24 years old, Rwanda
- Huda Arbab, 29 years old, Kenya
- Jonathan Shauri Kalibatha, 24 years old, Rwanda
- Omar Malak Abshir, 28 years old, Somalia
- Raina Augustus, 35 years old, Namibia
- Victory Naleh Befii, 32 years old, Nigeria
- Retiana Tiyamike Phiri, 21 years old, Zambia
- Adaugo Felix, 33 years old, Nigeria
- Célio Monteiro José, 23 years old, Mozambique
- Ochieng Benedict Onyando, 30 years old, Kenya
One of the winners, Huda Arbab founder of Craft for Life Business, explains her involvement. “In the Kakuma refugee camp, many women are facing tough economic and social challenges. The market of our handmade products is growing globally with the increased demand for unique materials and ethically-met items.”
“I want to be more than just a designer, I want to be a change maker.” states winner Naleh Befii Victory, currently working at the TVET Centre, A+ Agency Fashion Academy. “My passion and vision are to transform the African fashion industry, proving that creativity can drive social change and economic growth.”
The competition itself ran from 26 August to 26 September. The winning projects were evaluated based on passion and ambition, their ability to inspire others and their contributions to economic and social growth.
“We’re incredibly proud of all the participants,” added Luckson Soda, Director of DAPP Zimbabwe, Humana People to People’s delivery body on the ground. “Their projects reflect the creativity and innovation that TVET fosters. These young people are proving that vocational education offers powerful tools for addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”
Mr. Symerre Grey-Johnson, Director of Human Capital and Institutional Development (HCID) at AUDA-NEPAD added: “Across the continent, we see young people driving progress in their communities. They are not just learning skills—they are using those skills to make a real, positive impact on the ground. From starting small businesses, to solving local problems, to contributing to their countries’ economies, they are showing us what is possible when they have the right opportunities”
The Africa Skills Revolution is more than a Competition, it is a transformative movement
Despite the clear benefits that TVET brings to unlocks Africa’s youth potential, is often misunderstood and undervalued, seen as a secondary option rather than a powerful driver of progress. This is why Humana People to People and AUDA-NEPAD have joined forces to launch the Africa Skills Revolution. Far more than a competition, this initiative represents a transformative movement designed to awaken the potential within Africa’s youth through multiple efforts. These include a advocacy campaign aimed to change perceptions around TVET, and a survey that offers young Africans a platform to voice their vision for the Africa they want. Recognizing TVET as a cornerstone in equipping individuals with the essential job-related skills, this initiative is poised to boost Africa’s socioeconomic and community development.
ABOUT HUMANA PEOPLE TO PEOPLE: For over 40 years, Humana People to People, a leading network of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has successfully implemented a series of TVET programs across multiple Southern African countries. These initiatives equip youth from underserved communities with practical skills, opening doors to employment opportunities and fostering sustainable economic growth.
Active in countries like Angola, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Guinea Bissau, South Africa and Zambia, Humana People to People empowers young individuals to thrive in today’s job market and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Through its 16 technical and vocational colleges, the organisation has trained more than 30,000 young people, equipping them with the skills they need to thrive professionally and contribute to the sustainable development of their communities.
ABOUT AUDA-NEPAD: African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) is the development agency of the African Union mandated by Assembly of Heads of State and Government to coordinate and execute priority regional and continental projects to promote regional integration towards the accelerated realization of Agenda 2063. The mandate of AUDA-NEPAD is to: a) Coordinate and Execute priority regional and continental projects to promote regional integration; b) Strengthen capacity of African Union Member States and regional bodies, c) advance knowledge-based advisory support, d) undertake the full range of resource mobilization, and e) serve as the continent’s technical interface with all Africa’s development stakeholders and development partners