South Africa, Mozambique Sign Pact to Boost Skills, Higher Education Cooperation

The partnership reflects the growing recognition that education, research, and technical training are central to addressing unemployment, inequality, and skills deficits across Southern Africa.

South Africa and Mozambique have reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing regional collaboration in skills development under the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Education and Training. This protocol provides a regional framework for addressing common educational and training priorities, promoting alignment between national systems, and strengthening collective capacity within the region.

At the 4th South Africa–Mozambique Binational Commission (BNC) held in Maputo, Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela accompanied President Cyril Ramaphosa and led discussions aimed at broadening bilateral cooperation in the higher education and training sectors. The Minister also participated in the Council of Ministers meeting on 2 December 2025, where strategic priorities for regional development were deliberated.

New Agreement to Strengthen Education Systems

A key milestone of the BNC was the signing of a new Agreement on Cooperation in Higher Education and Training, marking a significant step forward in strengthening academic and institutional partnerships between the two countries. The agreement provides a structured framework designed to:

• Support the development of knowledge-driven economies

• Expand socio-economic opportunities

• Enhance institutional capacity in both nations

The partnership reflects the growing recognition that education, research, and technical training are central to addressing unemployment, inequality, and skills deficits across Southern Africa.

Key Areas of Bilateral Cooperation

The agreement identifies several strategic areas for collaboration, including:

• Exchange of delegations to share expertise in managing higher education and training systems

• Collaboration between quality assurance bodies, enabling harmonised standards in accreditation, evaluation, and recognition of qualifications

• Enhanced information-sharing, including joint access to research, publications, and policy studies

• Direct partnerships between higher education institutions, facilitating joint research, development projects, and expanded academic exchange programmes for undergraduate and postgraduate students

• A strong focus on TVET, with dedicated efforts to exchange curricula, best practices, and partnership models, especially for institutions, students, lecturers, and technical staff

These areas highlight a shift towards deeper institutional linkages and long-term collaboration aimed at building resilient and globally competitive education systems.

Central Focus on TVET for Youth Empowerment

Minister Manamela underscored the strategic importance of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in shaping the region’s economic trajectory. He emphasised that TVET reforms and cooperation are essential for equipping young people with practical skills that align with labour market needs.

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

He also highlighted that twinning higher education institutions across borders will promote sustainable academic partnerships and expand opportunities for research, innovation, and student mobility.

Next Steps: A Joint Action Plan

Both countries will now begin drafting a concrete action plan to operationalise the newly signed agreement. Progress will be closely monitored and presented at the next Binational Commission meeting, ensuring accountability and measurable outcomes.

The renewed cooperation signals a strong commitment by South Africa and Mozambique to building a skilled workforce, strengthening regional integration, and advancing shared socio-economic development goals.