Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), October 15, 2025 (SPS) – The Minister of Education and Vocational Training of the Sahrawi Republic, Mr. Abdelkader Taleb Omar, delivered a scheduled intervention during the high-level roundtable of the Second Africa Skills Week, held in Addis Ababa under the theme: “Powering Africa’s Industrial Future: Skills for Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability” from October 13–17, 2025.
In his address, Minister Taleb Omar expressed his great pride in participating in this significant continental event, which he described as “a reflection of Africa’s collective commitment to developing human capital and advancing the skills and vocational training sector as a cornerstone for industrial growth and innovation.”
He extended his gratitude to the African Union Commission for organizing the week and to the Government of Ethiopia for its “warm hospitality and generous reception.”
The minister emphasized that, despite the exceptional circumstances resulting from Morocco’s ongoing illegal occupation of parts of Sahrawi territory—which has led to refugee displacement and the plundering of natural resources—the Sahrawi Republic has achieved notable progress in education and vocational training, thanks to “sincere political will and cooperation with friendly states and international organizations.”
He pointed out that the Sahrawi state considers education, technical, and vocational training as an effective tool to prepare qualified national cadres capable of meeting citizens’ needs and contributing to the implementation of the Continental Strategy for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) 2025–2034.
The minister highlighted several small-scale industrial projects established by the Sahrawi state through national expertise developed via training programs. These initiatives, he said, “represented a qualitative leap in production capacity and competitiveness, proving that industrial development does not always require vast resources or giant factories, but rather national will and sound planning.”
He further noted that the state had established national centers for technical and vocational education and training in fields such as nursing, administration, media, information technology, women’s empowerment, and inclusion of persons with disabilities, emphasizing that these experiences “rely on national capacities, funding from friendly partners, and self-sustainability through production revenues.”
The minister also addressed Africa’s growing humanitarian challenge, citing that the continent currently hosts 45.7 million refugees and internally displaced persons, and praised Ethiopia’s humanitarian initiative of providing education and vocational training opportunities to 20,000 African refugees. He likewise expressed deep gratitude to Algeria for hosting thousands of Sahrawi refugees and students in its schools, universities, and training centers.
Minister Taleb Omar stressed that “the greatest challenge facing African countries remains securing the necessary financing to create job opportunities and achieve self-sufficiency.” However, he affirmed that “the accomplishments achieved despite the difficulties are a source of pride and confidence, inspiring creativity and helping reduce irregular migration and its social and economic consequences.”
He concluded by emphasizing that “Africa possesses immense human capital and abundant natural resources, and must invest them wisely by replicating successful experiences and integrating small projects into larger industrial clusters that ensure employment, development, and prosperity.”
The Sahrawi minister arrived in Addis Ababa early Monday to take part in the week’s activities, accompanied by Ambassador Ma El Ainin Lakhal, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Sahrawi Republic to the African Union, and Mr. Hamdi Eddid, Advisor at the Ministry of Education in charge of AU Affairs.
He also attended the official opening session of the week, presided over by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, in the presence of Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, as well as Ethiopian Minister of Labor and Skills Mrs. Muferihat Kamil Ahmed, ministers of education and vocational training from South Africa and The Gambia, and several ambassadors, officials, experts, representatives of AU member states, and international partners.
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