Approved in February 2026, the Skills for Economic Transformation and Jobs Program is a regional initiative supported by the World Bank to strengthen education, workforce development, and employment opportunities across Eastern and Southern Africa. Initial participating countries include Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, and Zambia.

Implementation will vary by country according to national economic priorities and institutional needs. For example, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's component includes plans for an Inga Academy of Excellence and skills development connected to major infrastructure investments. Its project documentation also identifies apprenticeship and entrepreneurship opportunities as areas of support.

The program is operating through a multiphase approach over approximately eight years, with a goal of providing improved education and skills opportunities to 18 million young people by 2034. The program is designed to:

• Strengthen education and training systems
  • Improve the capacity and relevance of universities, technical institutions, and vocational education providers.
• Connect training with economic development
  • Align workforce preparation with priority industries, including agriculture, energy, healthcare, manufacturing, and tourism.
• Expand employment pathways
  • Support transitions from education and training into productive employment.
• Engage employers
  • Strengthen private-sector participation in curriculum development, training, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities.
• Support regional collaboration
  • Facilitate cooperation among countries and education institutions to share expertise and develop common approaches.
• Advance applied research and innovation
  • Connect education and training investments with innovation and economic development.
• Improve opportunities for young people
  • Expand access to relevant skills development, particularly for individuals facing barriers to employment.

Background

Eastern and Southern Africa face significant challenges associated with rapid population growth, youth employment, and the need to expand productive economic opportunities. According to the World Bank, approximately eight million young people enter the region's labor market annually, while fewer than one million new entrants obtain wage employment. Education and training systems frequently face difficulties aligning programs with employer needs and emerging economic opportunities.

The Skills for Economic Transformation and Jobs Program addresses these challenges by connecting investments in education and training with specific economic sectors and employment opportunities. Its approach emphasizes that workforce development must be coordinated with industry growth, infrastructure investment, and broader economic transformation. The initiative also reflects increasing interest in regional cooperation among education and training institutions rather than relying exclusively on separate national programs.

Partners/Funders

• World Bank: Provides program leadership, technical support, and financing arrangements.
• International Development Association: Provides the $972 million regional financing package (not a uniform allocation across participating countries).
• Inter-University Council for East Africa: Coordinates regional activities, institutional networks, and knowledge exchange.
• Participating national governments: Lead country-level implementation.
• Universities and vocational education institutions: Participate in education, training, research, and institutional development.
• Private-sector partners: Support industry alignment, training opportunities, and employment pathways.
• International Finance Corporation and other development and private-sector partners.: potential involvement

Resources

World Bank. (2026, February 26). New program to equip 18 million youth and enable jobs in Eastern and Southern Africa. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2026/02/26/new-program-to-equip-18-million-youth-and-enable-jobs-in-eastern-and-southern-africa

World Bank. (2026, March 12). Fact sheet: Skills for Economic Transformation and Jobs Program in Eastern and Southern Africa — Democratic Republic of Congo. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/factsheet/2026/03/12/fact-sheet-skills-for-economic-transformation-and-jobs-program-in-eastern-and-southern-africa-set4jobs-democratic-republ