The Inter-University Council for East Africa convened the 11th Technical Advisory Meeting of the East Africa Skills for Transformation and Regional Integration Project from 14th and 15th May 2026.
The two-day meeting brought together representatives from all 16 Regional Flagship TVET Institutes, three National Project Coordination Units, World Bank task team leaders, and the project’s independent verification agent, CERFODES.
With the project closure date set for 31st December 2026, participants focused on resolving outstanding issues, complete construction of Centres of Excellence, and produce the mandatory project completion report required by the World Bank.
CERFODES presented its verification findings for the sixth round of Disbursement-Linked Indicators and Results assessments, covering Year 7 of the project. The verification process, which began in February 2026, involved document reviews, beneficiary surveys, and direct engagement with implementing institutions across the three countries.
Godfrey Bazira Wabwire of CERFODES told participants that the verification cycle had required extensive communication to resolve inconsistencies in the data submitted by implementing institutions.
The World Bank Task Team Leader, Nobuyuki Tanaka, presented the template and guidance for the Project Implementation Completion Report, the mandatory document that will serve as the World Bank’s record of EASTRIP’s achievements, challenges and lessons. Tanaka told participants the report must go beyond a summary of outputs and provide a rigorous, evidence-based account of what the project accomplished and what it leaves behind.
Participants were urged to begin compiling documentation immediately, including construction records, equipment delivery receipts, enrolment data and sustainability plans.
On the second day of the meeting, the national coordination units from Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania presented consolidated updates on procurement progress, with particular focus on the completion of Centres of Excellence construction and the supply of tools and equipment to implementing institutes.
The meeting closed with participants committing to develop detailed roadmaps for completing remaining project activities before the December deadline. Each implementing institution was tasked with setting out a clear plan for winding up outstanding works and ensuring the sustainable operationalisation of newly established facilities.
Dr. Cosam, closing the meeting on behalf of IUCEA, said the project’s final phase would require the same collective commitment that had sustained it across seven years of implementation. “We move forward together, with clarity, accountability and determination to deliver a project legacy that East Africa’s TVET sector will build on for years to come,” he said.
IUCEA serves as the Regional Facilitation Unit for EASTRIP, which is financed by the World Bank and implemented across Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia through 16 Regional Flagship TVET Institutes.
By Godwin Bonge Muhwezi, Project Communication Specialist for EASTRIP at Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA).
