Unlocking Africa’s wealth

Abstract

Following the eventful birth of the African Renaissance (a movement to improve and uplift Africa), some five or six years ago, education and training has been identified as having a vital role to play in its growth and development. There is a great need to broaden access to learning, and to develop skills, so as to turn around the tragic impact of limited investment, that is exacerbated by the often outdated curricula that haunt the continent’s education systems. The creation of the African Union and the formulation of its New Economic Programme for African Development (NEPAD) indicates a strong commitment to the African continent. NEPAD’s objectives are to establish standards of good governance and promote Africa’s economic growth and therefore NEPAD is an important component of the African Renaissance. Human development, which addresses training and education, is a top priority issue to be addressed in this process of transformation and maturation in Africa. The African continent is home to more than 50 countries and a vast number of cultures and traditions. The various countries are also at different stages of development with regard to education and training policies and processes.