The validation meeting marked an important milestone in the implementation of the EAC Harmonised TVET Strategy (2023) and ongoing efforts to strengthen regional cooperation in education, skills development and labour mobility. The framework is being developed in collaboration with the ACQF through the ACQF-II project and is intended to support the comparability, portability and mutual recognition of TVET qualifications across the EAC.

Advancing regional qualifications transparency and mobility

During the opening session, participants emphasised the strategic importance of the framework for strengthening regional integration, enhancing quality assurance, supporting lifelong learning, and facilitating learner and labour mobility across EAC Partner States. The framework is designed to provide a common regional reference point for qualifications while respecting national qualifications systems and regulatory arrangements.

Discussions highlighted the contribution of the framework to the objectives of the EAC Treaty and Common Market Protocol, particularly regarding the mutual recognition of qualifications and the movement of workers and learners across the region. Participants also underlined the importance of aligning the framework with continental initiatives, including the ACQF.

Key technical discussions

The meeting reviewed the revised draft EAC TVET Qualifications Framework in detail and examined a range of technical and policy issues. Discussions focused on ensuring consistency of terminology, qualifications portability and recognition, industry engagement, recognition of prior learning (RPL), credit accumulation and transfer systems, occupational standards, quality assurance, progression pathways, and the treatment of micro-credentials.

Participants reiterated that the framework should serve as a regional referencing instrument that promotes comparability and transparency while allowing flexibility for diverse national systems. The meeting also discussed mechanisms to support labour market relevance, stronger industry involvement, and the recognition of skills acquired through formal, non-formal and informal learning pathways.

Outcomes and next steps

The meeting validated the revised draft framework and agreed on a number of recommendations to support its further development and implementation. Among these, participants recommended that the EAC Secretariat submit the revised draft EAC TVET Qualifications Framework to the Sectoral Council on Education, Science and Technology, Culture and Sports for consideration. The meeting also called for continued capacity development of TVET stakeholders and closer alignment of national policies and frameworks with regional priorities.

Once adopted, the framework is expected to provide a stronger basis for qualifications recognition, skills mobility, lifelong learning and workforce development across the East African region. It will also contribute to strengthening trust and transparency among national qualifications systems while supporting broader regional integration objectives.

ACQF contribution

The ACQF-II project provided technical support to the development and validation of the framework document, contributing expertise on regional and continental qualifications frameworks and supporting alignment with broader African qualifications developments. Through its collaboration with the EAC Secretariat and Partner States, the project continues to promote qualifications transparency, recognition and learner mobility across Africa.

The meeting was supported financially by the ILO.