May 1, 2026 (Arta, Djibouti): The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD ) has convened a regional engagement with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to strength multi-stakeholder collaboration for inclusive and market-relevant skills development through enhanced engagement with TVET institutions, from April 28 – 30, 2026, in Arta, Djibouti.
The overall objective of the 3-day multi-stakeholder meeting is to assess existing collaboration frameworks, share best practices, and develop a joint roadmap for improved engagement with TVET institutions
Speaking on behalf of Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of IGAD, Ambassador, Moussa Megague, Director of Health and Social Development Division, imparted the transformation of TVET systems cannot be achieved by governments alone, and it necessitates strong and sustained partnerships among public institutions, training providers, the private sector, development partners, and regional organizations such as IGAD.
The ambassador cited that by advancing mutual recognition frameworks, IGAD can ensure that skills acquired in one country are recognized across the region, thereby facilitating labour mobility, enhancing employment opportunities, and deepening regional integration.
The Director affirmed that a key priority for IGAD is the harmonization of skills, competencies, and qualifications across Member States.
Ambassador Moussa reiterated that IGAD recognizes the central role of TVET in promoting regional integration, fostering inclusive economic growth, and strengthening social cohesion.” Accordingly, we remain committed to supporting Member States in enhancing the quality, relevance, and accessibility of their TVET systems,” HE added.
Mr. Aroun Omar Aden, who is Advisor for the ministry of Higher Education, Djibouti, has made the opening speech and addressed the importance of training to the participants saying that it is important to know that a refugee needs to be welcomed, supervised, trained with dignity and why not integrate to serve the host country positively. “We are together today to build a common understanding of the current state of TVET engagement in national and refugee-related contexts. We have reviewed the possible alignment of policies and coordination mechanisms. We must put in place strategies to prevent these people from sinking into delinquency and creating insecurity in the host country,” He stressed.
Finally, the regional engagement with TVET Institutions meeting provided recommendations for policy alignment and coordination mechanisms and the way forward to strength TVET engagement and inclusive skills delivery.
In his closing remarks, on behalf of Ambassador Moussa Megague, Director for Health and Social development Division, Mr, Fisseha Meseret, Education officer unveils the IGAD commitment to continue supporting TVET institutions in their efforts to align training with labor market needs, promote innovation, and empower our youth with relevant and competitive skills.
He also thanked the participants for their dedicated contributions and extended his gratitude to the government of Djibouti and GIZ who made the engagement possible.
A regional engagement with TVET Institutions meeting brought together representatives from Ministry of Labor and Skills, TVET Institutions, government authorities, Refugee and humanitarian agencies, development partners and donors as well as Youth and refugee representatives.
The meeting is organised by IGAD with support from the German government, through the GIZ SIMPI project.
It is to be recalled that in 2018, the IGAD Region’s TVET Strategy launched as part of the implementation of the Djibouti Declaration aims to strengthen national TVET Strategy that currently revised and validated, in developing a skilled workforce for the region’s development.
