Network founding and Public Session
The Indaba ends. The Network begins.
Once founded here on 24 March 2027, the Network will be a permanent continental body and a programme of APEA (not a separate legal entity), governed by its Founding Charter. Each of its seven Working Groups will grow out of a session in this programme.
Day Three · 13:30 to 14:00
The Founding of the Africa Future Skills Network
Auditorium
The founding resolutionThe APEA Board resolution establishing the Network and adopting the Founding Charter for signature is read. · APEA President
The Network Council takes its seatsFounding partners take up their governance seats: two APEA seats, the Anchor Institutional Partner and the Multilateral & Development Partner (standing seats), the seven Working Group chairs, two Youth Council seats, three regional seats and a civil society seat. The interim Council chair is named. · APEA President; founding partners
The seven Working Groups are constitutedEach Working Group's lead partner is named on stage and receives its mandate and a 60-day deadline for its work plan. · Executive Convenor; seven lead partners
The Youth CouncilThe open call for the 15-member Youth Council (aged 18 to 35, three per AU region) is launched, closing within 60 days. Day Zero delegates are invited to apply first, and the Youth Rapporteur takes an interim seat. · Youth Rapporteur; Executive Convenor
ClosePhotograph of founding partners and lead partners on stage. · MC
Day Three · 15:00 to 17:00
Public Session: What Africa's Skills Future Now Requires
Auditorium · open to civil society, students and media; live-streamed
Welcome to the publicA 3-minute film of the three days and a welcome to civil society, students and media. · MC
The Africa Future Skills PrinciplesThe Principles in plain language: what they commit institutions to. · Anchor Institutional Partner and a Steering Committee member (co-drafters)
The Network's Founding CharterThe Charter is presented, with its seven Working Groups and Youth Council, and the founding signatories sign it in public. · Founding partners; the Youth Rapporteur signs on behalf of youth delegates
The Youth Rapporteur ReportA youth delegate delivers the report (15 minutes) and a minister responds on the record (5 minutes). · Youth Rapporteur; a minister
The Indaba ScoreboardHeadline totals from the Commitment Register and the Investment Compact: number of commitments, value of pledges, consortia formed. · Executive Convenor; Data & Research Partner
AFSI Pathfinders AwardsGreen Innovator of the Year and Digital Innovator of the Year, presented by their sponsors; then Pathfinder of the Year, presented by the title sponsor, with a 5-minute address by the winner. · Award sponsors, Pathfinders Panel chair, winners
Town Hall: Hold Us to ItCivil society, students and media question a panel on how the commitments will be tracked over the next 12 months. · A minister, a Network founding partner, the Youth Rapporteur, an employer
TransitionInto the Closing Ceremony. · MC
Day Three · 17:00 to 17:30
Closing Ceremony: Passing the Baton
Opening performanceA youth choir, spoken-word poet or performers from Forum 5's creative sector. · Performers
ThanksThanks to founding partners, sponsors, the Steering Committee, the Pathfinders and volunteers, each named. · AFSI Executive Convenor
What Happens NextThe 30-day publication sprint, the Network's first 90 days, the 12-month check-in on commitments, and how delegates stay involved. · APEA President
The HandoverThe date and host city of the next Indaba are announced, and an AFSI skills baton passes from the APEA President to the Network's founding chair and the next host's representative. · APEA Programme Manager, APEA President, Network founding chair, next host
CloseAll delegates on the stage steps for the official photograph. · MC
The Pathfinders Awards
Day Three, 16:15 to 16:35, Public Session, Auditorium
- Green Innovator of the Year (presented by its sponsor)
- Digital Innovator of the Year (presented by its sponsor)
- Pathfinder of the Year (presented by the title sponsor, with a 5-minute address by the winner)
Investors log follow-up requests and a delegate vote opens at the end of the Pathfinders Showcase (Day Two, 15:50 to 16:00) and closes at 20:00 that evening. Award decisions are made by the Pathfinders Panel.
Seven Working Groups
Each grows out of a session in the Indaba.
| Working Group | Grows out of | Lead |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Curriculum, Competency & Just Transition | Design Charrette Working Group A | Anchor Institutional Partner, with the Steering Committee |
| 2. Employer Engagement & Work-Integrated Learning | Design Charrette Working Group B; the Policy Swap | Employer Design Partner |
| 3. Policy, Equity & Accountability | Design Charrette Working Group C; Commitments on Trial | Steering Committee, with civil society |
| 4. Global Skills Investment | AFSI Global Investment Chamber | Multilateral & Development Partner |
| 5. Credential Portability & Harmonisation | Human Capital Chamber roundtable One Continent, One Qualification | Migration & Mobility Partner |
| 6. Green & Digital Value Chains | Value Chain Forums 1 to 5 | Industry co-chairs per cluster; Technology & Digital Delivery Partner |
| 7. Evidence & Audit | The Continental Curriculum Audit | Data & Research Partner |