Programme
Three days. Thirty-seven sessions.
Rethinking Skills for a Green & Digital Continent. Monday 22 to Wednesday 24 March 2027 at The Canvas Riversands, Johannesburg.
Final programme, 20 October 2026
37sessions
147timed segments
13Demo Theatre showcases
8sessions live-streamed
Three days, one outcome
Diagnose. Design. Deploy.
Day One, Monday 22 March
Diagnosis
The State of JET Skills Development
Young people speak first; an Evidence Hearing; the first public findings of the Continental Curriculum Audit; five Value Chain Forums; the Executive Gala Dinner.
Day Two, Tuesday 23 MarchDesign
Design of Reimagined Approaches to Critical Skills Development
Three working groups design frameworks; the two Global Chambers meet; twelve Pathfinders ventures pitch; institutions make named public commitments.
Day Three, Wednesday 24 MarchDeployment
From Design Towards Implementation for a Green & Digital Continent
Commitments are tested; the Global Leaders' Summit goes live; the Africa Future Skills Network is founded; the Public Session and the Pathfinders Awards.
Day One: Diagnosis · Monday 22 March
The State of JET Skills DevelopmentYoung people speak first; an Evidence Hearing; the first public findings of the Continental Curriculum Audit; five Value Chain Forums; the Executive Gala Dinner.
Day Two: Design · Tuesday 23 March
Design of Reimagined Approaches to Critical Skills DevelopmentThree working groups design frameworks; the two Global Chambers meet; twelve Pathfinders ventures pitch; institutions make named public commitments.
Day Three: Deployment · Wednesday 24 March
From Design Towards Implementation for a Green & Digital ContinentCommitments are tested; the Global Leaders' Summit goes live; the Africa Future Skills Network is founded; the Public Session and the Pathfinders Awards.
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Final programme, 20 October 2026. All times are South African time (SAST). Speakers are added as they are confirmed. Closed sessions are held under the Chatham House Rule.
Exhibition Hall and Demo Theatre
Thirteen showcases across three days.
Day One, Monday 22 March
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 07:45–08:25 | Early showcase Exhibitor demonstrations with audience questions. Line-up in the app. |
| 11:00–11:30 | Launch of the AFSI Innovations Demo Theatre Official opening of the Demo Theatre with first looks at the two Pavilion exhibitors. |
| 13:10–13:55 | Lunchtime showcase Exhibitor demonstrations with audience questions. Line-up in the app. |
| 15:30–15:55 | Pathfinders Preview I (green ventures) Three-minute previews from six Pathfinders ventures ahead of their main-stage pitches. |
Day Two, Tuesday 23 March
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 07:45–08:25 | Early showcase Exhibitor demonstrations with audience questions. Line-up in the app. |
| 10:40–11:00 | Pathfinders Preview II (digital ventures) Three-minute previews from six Pathfinders ventures ahead of their main-stage pitches. |
| 13:05–13:55 | Lunchtime showcase A 15-minute Pavilion feature and exhibitor demonstrations. Line-up in the app. |
| 16:00–16:25 | Afternoon showcase A 15-minute Pavilion feature and exhibitor demonstrations. Line-up in the app. |
Day Three, Wednesday 24 March
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
| 07:45–08:25 | Early showcase Exhibitor demonstrations with audience questions. Line-up in the app. |
| 10:27–10:37 | Morning break slot Exhibitor demonstrations with audience questions. Line-up in the app. |
| 12:00–13:30 | Live from the Indaba: the Media Mini-Programme Live podcast, creator films, Pathfinder demos, an editors' panel and a news desk. |
| 14:00–14:30 | Final showcase Exhibitor demonstrations with audience questions. Line-up in the app. |
| 14:30–14:55 | Closing ceremony of the Demo Theatre Reflections on the innovations on show, the People's Choice Stand Award, and close. |
All showcases are in the Exhibition Hall, AFSI Innovations Demo Theatre.
Live-streamed sessions
- Opening Ceremony: Anchoring the Continent's Skills Future (Day One)
- Session 1. The Evidence Hearing: Has the curriculum-economy settlement failed the twin transition? (Day One)
- Day One Synthesis: What the room now knows (Day One)
- AFSI Pathfinders: Windows of Opportunity Showcase (Investment Chamber, Session 2) (Day Two)
- Named Institutional Commitments (Day Two)
- AFSI Global Leaders' Summit: Capital for a Skilled Continent (Day Three)
- Public Session: What Africa's Skills Future Now Requires (Day Three)
- Closing Ceremony: Passing the Baton (Day Three)
Good to know
- Lunch is served in the Atrium beside the Exhibition Hall. The AFSI Innovations Demo Theatre runs short showcases in every break.
- Sessions outside the Auditorium end five minutes early to give you time to move between rooms.
- SASL interpretation and captions are provided for live-streamed sessions. Tell us about access needs in the app or at registration.
- Each day starts with a short safety and housekeeping briefing, repeated before delegates split into breakout rooms. Volunteers wear colour-coded T-shirts so you know whom to ask for which kind of help.
- Announcements come through the app (and by email if you are not signed in). Please complete the short feedback form in the app at the end of each session.
- Institutions can log commitments in the app at any time during the three days. Volunteers at the commitment inquiry table can help.
- Need a visa? You can request an attendance letter through the ticket form. Visa costs are the delegate's own.
- Partner hotel rates near the venue are being arranged. The booking code will be shared on the website and in the app.
Rooms
Where everything happens at The Canvas Riversands.
| Room | Seats | What happens there |
|---|---|---|
| Auditorium | · | Opening Ceremony; Session 1. The Evidence Hearing; The Continental Curriculum Audit; Cross-Sector Synthesis Plenary; Day One Synthesis; Day Two Framing; AFSI Pathfinders; Named Institutional Commitments; Day Three Framing; AFSI Global Leaders' Summit; Commitments on Trial; The Founding of the Africa Future Skills Network; Public Session; Closing Ceremony |
| Breakout Rooms 1 to 5 | · | Value Chain Forums 1–5, morning; Value Chain Forums 1–5, afternoon; The Design Charrette, morning; AFSI Global Investment Chamber, Session 1; AFSI Global Human Capital Chamber, Session 1; The Design Charrette, afternoon; AFSI Global Human Capital Chamber, Session 2; Pathfinders Deal Room (Investment Chamber, Session 3); The Implementation Labs; Investment Chamber, Session 4; Human Capital Chamber, Session 3 |
| Atrium and Exhibition Hall | · | Registration, welcome coffee and first look at the exhibition; Break and launch of the AFSI Innovations Demo Theatre; Lunch, exhibition and Demo Theatre showcase; Break; Pathfinders Preview I in the Demo Theatre; Registration, coffee and the exhibition; Lunch, investor meetings and ministerial bilaterals; Break and reconvene; Live from the Indaba; Lunch; Demo Theatre final showcase and closing ceremony |
| Dining Space | · | The AFSI Executive Gala Dinner; The Commitment Reception and Bilateral Lounge; The AFSI Leaders' Co-Investment Compact Breakfast |
| VIP & Investment Lounge | · | Lunch, investor meetings and ministerial bilaterals |
| VIP Rooms 1 and 2 | · | Lunch, investor meetings and ministerial bilaterals; The Commitment Reception and Bilateral Lounge |
| Media Centre | · | Lunch, exhibition and Demo Theatre showcase |
| Media Interviews Room | · | Lunch; Demo Theatre final showcase and closing ceremony |