The Sub-Saharan Africa Skills and Apprenticeship Stakeholders Network (SASASNET) has renewed calls for increased investment in skills development and apprenticeship programmes to build the workforce required to drive Africa’s infrastructure and economic transformation.
Speaking on Tuesday at SASASNET’s Third Annual Regional Conference on Quality Skills Development and Apprenticeship and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja, Continental Chairperson Prof. Idris Bugaje said African countries must prioritise the development of indigenous talent and reduce their dependence on imported labour for major infrastructure projects.
The conference, themed “Scaling Apprenticeship for Decent Work in Quest for Quality Skills Development in the Informal Economy,” brought together policymakers, skills development practitioners, training institutions, employers, and other stakeholders to explore strategies for strengthening workforce development systems and expanding apprenticeship opportunities across the continent.
Prof. Bugaje, who also serves as Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), said Africa cannot achieve sustainable development without deliberate investment in the training, reskilling, and upskilling of its growing youth population.
Illustrating the scale of the challenge, he cited the construction of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which employed thousands of foreign workers during its development.
“For example, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery engaged about 11,500 Indians during its construction. Dangote is currently building another refinery in East Africa, and I hope such a situation will not be repeated,” Bugaje said.
He stressed that Africa must develop the skilled manpower needed to execute large-scale infrastructure projects and industrial ventures, noting that this objective remains central to SASASNET’s advocacy and programmes.
According to Bugaje, strengthening technical and vocational skills development systems will not only enhance employability but also improve Africa’s competitiveness and capacity for self-reliant growth.
He further called for deeper regional cooperation among African nations, arguing that collective action and shared development efforts are essential to advancing the continent’s socio-economic and political interests.
“We must open our doors to one another. Xenophobic attacks across the continent will not solve Africa’s problems,” he said.
Bugaje maintained that African countries must support one another through stronger collaboration in education, training, and workforce development if the continent is to reclaim a stronger position in the global economy.
“The foundation for achieving this lies in empowering and upskilling young people across the continent, and that is what SASASNET represents,” he added.
Earlier, SASASNET Secretary-General Ousman Sillah said the organisation was established to address critical workforce challenges confronting African economies.
He explained that the network’s mission is to bridge existing skills gaps, strengthen workforce development systems, and promote quality apprenticeship programmes capable of supporting economic growth and decent work opportunities.
“SASASNET is designed to bridge existing skills gaps and strengthen workforce development across the continent. With the support of member countries and development partners, we are committed to addressing Africa’s workforce challenges,” Sillah said.
Also speaking, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State commended SASASNET and its partners for organising what he described as a timely and significant conference focused on one of Africa’s most pressing development priorities.
Represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, Sani said the continent’s long-term prosperity would depend largely on the quality of its human capital and the effectiveness of its skills development systems.
“The future of Africa will not be built by natural resources alone. It will be built by skilled workers, innovative entrepreneurs, capable technicians, and empowered young people,” he said.
Participants at the conference emphasised the need for governments, employers, educational institutions, and development partners to collaborate more closely in expanding apprenticeship opportunities and improving access to market-relevant skills. They argued that strengthening workforce capabilities remains critical to reducing unemployment, enhancing productivity, and ensuring that Africa’s growing youth population can contribute meaningfully to the continent’s economic transformation.
