Shauri Kalibatha Jonathan, (Centre) a mechanical engineer and co-founder of Re-banatex, a company that converts banana trunks into eco-friendly textile products. (Supplied)Re-banate
In several countries across the African continent, young people are investing in their communities, using practical skills gained through technical and vocational education and training, or TVET, to develop local solutions to everyday challenges.
From transforming agricultural waste into textiles in Rwanda, to building accessible medical devices in Zambia, young innovators are showing that vocational skills can do more than lead to employment: they can fuel social and economic change.
A recent campaign led by Humana People to People in collaboration with the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) brought thousands of young people across the continent in dialogue, competition, and surveys, with one clear goal: to understand how African youth view TVET, what they need from it, and how they’re already using it to change their communities.
“We’ve been running vocational training in Africa for over four decades,” said Snorre Westgaard of Humana People to People International, who has spent 24 years working across the continent and now leads the organization’s global board. “This time, we wanted young people to lead the conversation.”
Listening to youth across the continent
The campaign, framed around three actions: engage, elevate, communicate, began as a continent-wide awareness drive via social media. It encouraged young people to speak up about their experiences with vocational training.
It was followed by a skills competition, where participants submitted projects showing how they had applied TVET skills in impactful or innovative ways. The top ten were awarded seed funding to expand their ideas.
At the same time, a youth survey gathered voices from both cities and villages: 61% urban and 39% rural.
While most urban youth pointed to lack of information and limited options, rural youth stressed that access itself remained a major obstacle.
“Many centers are in cities,” Snorre Westgaard quoted one respondent as saying. “In rural areas, we don’t even know what’s available,” he quoted the same respondent as adding.
Despite the challenges, the enthusiasm was clear, as the survey revealed that young people reckoned TVET helping them gain practical, hands-on skills; and more importantly, gave them confidence. But they also called for improvements: more digital and green skills, training in entrepreneurship, and better links to employment after graduation.
“Young people told us they want to be part of shaping their communities—not just waiting for jobs,” the Humana board chairman added. “That’s why entrepreneurship and soft skills came through so strongly.”
From waste to wealth
One of the competition’s top ten was Shauri Kalibatha Jonathan, a mechanical engineer and co-founder of Re-banatex, a company that converts banana trunks, usually discarded as agricultural waste, into eco-friendly textile products.
“Rwanda grows over 3 million tons of bananas every year,” Jonathan told Africa Renewal. “But the trunks are left to rot after harvest. That’s when I saw a different use for them.”
Jonathan used skills learned through Rwanda Polytechnic’s TVET programme, including Computer Aided Design (CAD), machining, and communication, to design and build machines that extract fiber from banana trunks. His innovation not only reduces waste but creates a new income stream for farmers.
“Before TVET, I drew more than 100 projects by hand. It was stressful and time-consuming. But once I learned 3D design and CNC machining, it became faster and more efficient,” he said.
With growing demand for sustainable materials, Re-banatex has the potential to scale. But Jonathan also sees it as a space for training others.
“In five years, I want Re-banatex to be a center for skills transfer in sustainable textile production. I also want to support young people working in green innovation,” he said.
Building medical solutions
In Zambia, Retiana Tiyamike Phiri is solving a very different but equally urgent problem: how to help people in remote areas manage pain without access to hospitals or medical devices.
“Some health challenges in Africa could be addressed with simple, locally made medical tools,” she said. “That’s why I started my medical device company.”
Retiana learned her skills, including electronics, 3D design, prototyping, plumbing, and entrepreneurship, through a TVET programme. She also picked up unexpected but valuable lessons in teamwork, leadership, and communication.
“Before TVET, my education was all theory. It was hard to innovate. TVET gave me the tools to turn ideas into real devices.”
She now develops pain management tools that people in underserved communities can use without needing to visit health facilities. But her path has not been easy.
“I faced barriers like lack of equipment, funding, and specialized mentorship,” she said. “TVET taught me to improvise, to teach myself how to build tools, and to seek guidance from mentors.”
Retiana believes TVET must be made more inclusive. “Most rural girls and those with disabilities are still left behind. We need centers in more places, and better information about what’s available.”
She also calls for more innovation-focused TVET programmes that bring in outside partners and provide support beyond training.
“Give young people access to design thinking, mentorship, and funding—then let them solve real community problems.”
From skills to systems
According to Snorre Westgaard, the youth survey produced clear recommendations, from young people themselves, for making TVET more effective and accessible:
Provide financial support to reduce dropout rates
Update curricula to include digital, green, and entrepreneurial content
Strengthen links to employment through internships and private-sector involvement
Recognize TVET as a pathway to leadership and community development—not just jobs
He confirmed these priorities reflect what Humana People to People has seen on the ground across its 10 African member associations.
“We’ve seen those short, targeted courses like solar pump installation or agribusiness entrepreneurship can be especially effective for youth in rural areas,” he said. “They complement long-term training, not replace it.”
He added that organizations like Humana are also advocating for donors and governments, especially through platforms like the European Vocational Training Foundation, to invest more in TVET.
“It’s about giving young people the tools, support, and respect they deserve,” he said.
A shared message
To others thinking about TVET or starting a business both Retiana and Jonathan offer similar advice.
“Start small, stay focused, and learn by doing,” said Jonathan.
“Get started. Find mentors. Be flexible and keep learning. And don’t forget to take care of your mental health,” said Retiana.
Original article from UN
