Senegal is preparing to host a strategic event for the future of skills on the continent. From May 11 to 15, 2026, Dakar will host the 17th Ordinary General Assembly of the African Network of Vocational Training Institutions and Funds (RAFPRO). This designation, ratified at the previous session in Brazzaville, reflects the confidence of member countries in Senegal and underscores its leading role in human capital development in West Africa and beyond. Created in 2006 with the support of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the network now comprises thirteen institutions from twelve countries, ranging from Benin to Madagascar.

This year's edition takes place in an era of profound technological change. Under the theme "Artificial Intelligence and Vocational Training: Issues and Challenges for Skills, Employability, and Business Competitiveness," this conference aims to anticipate the impact of AI on the job market. For the organizers, artificial intelligence should not be passively accepted but rather harnessed, as it represents a true "lever for transforming jobs, skills, and learning systems."

This reality necessitates an urgent update of public policies and training systems to ensure that human resources are adequate to meet current economic requirements.

Beyond the usual statutory sessions—such as the review of financial statements and the adoption of the 2026 work plan—a crucial thematic workshop will be organized. Its mission will be to translate policy orientations into concrete actions by developing an operational action plan based on the Abidjan Declaration of December 2025. This participatory approach aims to "sustainably strengthen vocational training systems in Africa" by adapting global strategies to the specific realities of each Member State.

The event will bring together nearly one hundred high-level experts, including directors general of member institutions such as the ONFP and 3FPT of Senegal, as well as technical and financial partners, academics, and AI specialists. Through this Dakar summit, RAFPRO reaffirms its commitment to building a robust framework for dialogue to address the rapid and structural technological transformations that are redefining the global economy, thereby positioning Africa on the path to competitiveness and innovation.