South Africa, Mozambique Sign Deal to Boost Skills, Education

• South Africa and Mozambique sign a deal to boost cooperation in higher education and training, focusing on economic and institutional growth
• Areas include delegation exchanges, joint research, TVET partnerships, and harmonized accreditation standards
• Both countries will create an action plan for the agreement, with progress reviewed at future BNC meetings

At the 4th South Africa–Mozambique Binational Commission (BNC) in Maputo, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela, alongside President Cyril Ramaphosa, led discussions aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation in higher education and training.

Minister Manamela also participated in the Council of Ministers meeting, where regional development priorities were discussed.

The South Africa-Mozambique pact focuses on skills development and higher education cooperation, strengthening regional partnership, African education ties, and skills training through a new bilateral agreement.

A key highlight of the BNC was the signing of a new Agreement on Cooperation in Higher Education and Training. This agreement marks a significant step in strengthening academic and institutional ties between the two nations.

It aims to support the development of knowledge-driven economies, create socio-economic opportunities, and enhance institutional capacity in both countries. Recognizing the critical role of education, research, and technical training in addressing unemployment and inequality, the agreement outlines several strategic areas for collaboration.

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These include the exchange of delegations to share best practices in higher education management, collaboration between quality assurance bodies to harmonize accreditation standards, and expanded academic partnerships for joint research and student exchanges.

Special attention is given to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), with efforts to exchange curricula, share expertise, and strengthen partnerships between TVET institutions.

Minister Manamela emphasized the importance of TVET in addressing the region's economic needs, stressing that equipping young people with relevant skills is vital for sustainable development.

“This cooperation is designed to directly improve the skills profile, employability, and entrepreneurial capacity of young people. It will strengthen institutional linkages and build technical capacity, supporting the objectives of South Africa’s National Development Plan (NDP)”, he added.

Both countries will now work on an action plan to implement the agreement, with progress to be reviewed at future BNC meetings, ensuring continued collaboration and measurable results.