The purpose of the mission was to assess progress in the implementation of EASTRIP at 11 Regional Flagship TVET Institutes in Ethiopia and Tanzania. It followed a similar successful mission undertaken in Kenya in June involving 5 Regional Flagship TVET Institutes.
In Ethiopia, the EASTRIP team, led by Dr. Teshela Berecha, State Minister for TVET at the Ministry of Labour and Skills, visited multiple institutions across the country. At Hawassa Polytechnic College, significant progress has been made in constructing a garment and textile technology institute, complete with a learning factory. This development is poised to support one of Ethiopia’s fastest-growing industries.
Dr. Teshela Berecha, State Minister for TVET in Ethiopia at the construction site for the Ethiopia Training Authority.
The team also visited Holeta Polytechnic, where an agro-processing institute is being established to enhance skills in food processing and agricultural product development. At Gen Wingate Polytechnic, plans are underway for an electrical and digital applications institute to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the digital economy.
Dire Dawa Polytechnic College is focusing on railway technology and electro-mechanical engineering, supporting Ethiopia’s expanding transportation infrastructure and industrial development. The EASTRIP team spent time monitoring the construction progress and overall project implementation at these sites.
In Tanzania, the delegation led by Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Executive Secretary of IUCEA, visited several institutions. The Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology (DIT) main campus is setting up an ICT institute to cater to the rapidly evolving technology sector. Meanwhile, DIT’s Mwanza Campus is establishing an institute specializing in leather products and allied industries, aiming to support Tanzania’s leather industry and promote value addition.
IUCEA Executive Secretary, Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona and the Rector, Arusha Technical College (ATC) with World Bank and IUCEA Teams during the visit at Kikuletwa
The National Institute of Transport (NIT) in Tanzania is creating an aviation institute to support the growing aviation industry in East Africa and enhance regional connectivity. In Arusha, the team visited the Technical College, which is focusing on renewable energy to develop skills in sustainable energy technologies.
Each of these Regional Flagship TVET Institutes is designed to become a center of excellence in its respective field, equipped with modern facilities and learning factories to provide practical, industry-relevant training. The institutes are expected to play a crucial role in developing a skilled workforce to meet the specific needs of key economic sectors in East Africa.
The EASTRIP project is currently supporting 16 TVET institutes in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania to enhance the quality and relevance of TVET programs and promote regional integration and economic growth through skills development in vital sectors across East Africa.
By Godwin Bonge Muhwezi, Project Communication Specialist for EASTRIP at IUCEA.
