Issue #2 Recommendations for Decision-makers and Policy-makers in Sub-Saharan Africa 

Implementable pathways to make TVET effective, with a focus on Project’s Partner Countries Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa

The Project

GSMESKILL project aims at reinforcing the links and coordination between VET systems and local labor markets in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa. Our European+African Partnership focuses on the improvement and empowerment of VET providers in the fields of management, governance, inclusion, quality assurance, innovation and internationalization. 

Our goal? To equip learners, trainers, and Small-Medium Enterprises in Sub Saharan Africa with the tools to build sustainable, innovative, and resilient enterprises that can thrive in today’s fast-changing world.

Policy Recommendations: From Evidence to Action for Green VET and Entrepreneurship

The GSMESKILL project highlights how evidence-based policymaking is key to linking VET, labour market needs, and the development of green SMEs.

Drawing on field research and stakeholder engagement and consultation across South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria, the recommendations identify structural barriers—such as limited access to finance, fragmented VET–industry collaboration, and insufficient integration of sustainability principles—and propose concrete ways to address them.🌱

Recommendations Axes 

• Inclusivity – Recommendations focus on inclusive VET and entrepreneurship enablers, supporting women, youth, and marginalized groups through better access to training and finance.
  
• Alignment of digital and green skills – Recommendations request curricula and training frameworks to reflect the emerging labour-market demands of the green transition.
  
• Capacity building for VET providers – Recommendations encourage cooperation with SMEs and local industries to strengthen work-based learning pathways.
  
• Sustainability and environmental responsibility are encouraged to be integrated into national training and entrepreneurship policies.
  
• Institutional cooperation between VET providers, public bodies, and the private sector should be enhanced.

Where to find them and How to use them

The full document “Policy Recommendations for Inclusive VET education in SSA” — available in English, Swahili, and Afrikaans — can be found on the GSMESKILL website, under “Activities and Results” → “WP4” → D4.2 (or via this link 😉 ). It is open access, ensuring it remains freely available and readable for everyone.

These recommendations are designed for:

• VET providers updating training content and delivery models;

• Public authorities and policymakers developing or revising national VET and entrepreneurship strategies;

• Associations and networks working to strengthen the connection between training, employability, and sustainable enterprise.

They serve as a bridge from evidence to adoption, supporting the transfer of GSMESKILL results into concrete policy action.

📢 … Help us expand their reach: Share the GSMESKILL Policy Recommendations with your local / regional / national institutions, training providers, and policymakers to promote inclusive, green-oriented VET systems!

🌍 Country Highlights

🇰🇪 Kenya

Recommendations emphasize the need for policy coordination across ministries and agencies, better integration of sustainability in VET programmes, and the creation of supportive frameworks for youth-led green enterprises. See the first Part of the Recommendations document to learn more. 

🇳🇬 Nigeria

Priorities include embedding entrepreneurship and green transition in formal training, reinforcing institutional partnerships, and expanding capacity-building opportunities for trainers and small-business owners. See the second Part of the Recommendations to learn more. 

🇿🇦 South Africa

Recommendations focus on strengthening cooperation between VET institutions and local industries, improving access to entrepreneurial finance, and promoting green and digital competences in training curricula. See the third Part of the Recommendations to learn more. 

Get in Touch

You can directly contact us for further information on how to benefit from the Project’s work and results via the project email address: gsmeskillproject@gmail.com.

Moreover, you can contact the Partner Organization that is close to you!

🤝 Our Organizations

• Eduforma Srl 🇮🇹 — Project Coordinator. Training center & HR/managerial development organization from North-East Italy. Website: eduforma.it (Project Sheet)
  
• NGO Nest Berlin e.V. 🇩🇪 — German NGO focusing on inclusion, capacity building & youth projects. Website: ngonest.de (NGO NEST Berlin)
  
• Fundacija PRIZMA 🇸🇮 — Slovenian organization promoting employability and training.
  Website: www.fundacija-prizma.si
  
• European Knowledge Spot  🇬🇷 — Greek non-profit organization specialized in designing and delivering customized lifelong learning programs and capacity-building initiatives . Website: www.euknowledgespot.com
  
• Center for Digital Skills Acquisition for Women & Youths in Africa 🇳🇬 — Organization promoting digital skills among women & youth with a focus on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Citizenship Education (GCED). FB page: www.facebook.com/bekeestores
  
• Egunec Education Support Foundation 🇳🇬 — Nigerian NGO Foundation providing educational support & capacity development to empower communities and promote sustainability. Website: www.egunecesf.org
  
• Yadaversity Education Company Ltd 🇳🇬 — Nigerian school engaged in educational and training services with innovative academic programs.  Website: www.yadaversity.com
  
• Ustadi Foundation 🇰🇪 — Kenyan NGO working in capacity building, youth empowerment & sustainable development working with local communities.  Website: www.ustadi.org
  
• Southern Africa Development Research & Training Institute (SADRAT ) 🇿🇦 — Non-profit, non-governmental developmental institute focused on research and training based in South Africa.  Website: www.sadratinstitute.org.za 

Follow us on Social Media to stay updated on the project’s results, news, and events:

If you appreciate our work, please consider suggesting our social media pages and newsletter to your contacts, too! Every small effort matters and is deeply appreciated. 💚