Guidance Note for Preparation and Implementation of Skills Development Projects in Africa

Overview & Synopsis

This publication comprises a Guidance Note on the preparation and implementation of skills development operations in Africa and 12 accompanying Technical Solution Notes. The Guidance Note supports task teams and policymakers in identifying key constraints within skills development systems, analyzing reform options, and selecting interventions that improve relevance, quality, equity, efficiency, and labor market outcomes. Building on lessons from Africa and international experience, the note recognizes that skills development extends beyond formal Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to encompass a broad ecosystem of formal, non-formal, and informal learning pathways. The Guidance Note frames the diagnosis of skills systems and the selection of reform priorities. The Technical Solution Notes examine specific approaches, with examples and operational lessons from Africa and other regions. Readers can use the main note to identify the challenges relevant to an operation, then consult the corresponding Technical Solution Notes to assess design and implementation options.