Learning event

ILO-led workshop supports countries to strengthen recognition of prior learning systems

Countries from Africa and the Middle East share practical solutions to strengthen recognition of prior learning and expand access to decent work.

17 April 2026

Attendees of the regional event — Participants from Africa and the Middle East at the Regional RPL event,

Nairobi, Kenya (ILO News) - Representatives from eight countries across Africa and the Middle East gathered in Nairobi from 30 March to 2 April 2026 for a regional training and experience-sharing workshop on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). The event aimed to strengthen inclusive skills recognition systems, particularly in contexts affected by forced displacement.

Organized by the International Labour Organization (ILO) under the PROSPECTS Partnership, in collaboration with the Global Skills Programme, the four-day workshop brought together governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations, and technical experts to exchange experiences and identify practical solutions to common challenges in RPL implementation.

Advancing inclusion through skills recognition

Recognition of Prior Learning enables individuals to have skills acquired through informal work, migration or life experience formally assessed and certified. This is particularly critical for refugees, returnees and host communities, who often face barriers to accessing decent work due to a lack of recognized qualifications.

Participants from Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Kenya, Malawi, Sudan, Uganda and the United Republic of Tanzania shared experiences on how RPL systems can support labour market integration, productivity and resilience.

“RPL is not only about certification—it is about making skills visible and valued in the labour market,” said Christine Hofmann, ILO Senior Regional Skills Specialist for Africa. “For many workers, especially those in informal economies or displaced contexts, it can be a gateway to decent work and lifelong learning.”

The workshop combined technical sessions on financing, quality assurance, outreach and monitoring with peer learning and a field visit in Kenya, offering practical insights into implementation.

participants discussing at the workshop — Participants at the RPL workshop engaging in an interactive activity.

Building sustainable and trusted systems

Across countries, several priorities emerged for building sustainable and credible RPL systems.

Participants highlighted the importance of sustainable financing, emphasizing cost-sharing approaches involving governments, employers and individuals rather than relying solely on donor funding.

“A free RPL system might look successful at first, but it quickly becomes unsustainable,” said Joseph Chirombo, Director of Assessment and Certification Services in Malawi’s Ministry of Labour. “Cost-sharing between government, employers and candidates is the only viable path forward.”

There was strong consensus on the need for greater employer engagement to ensure relevance and trust.

“RPL must be driven by real labour market demand,” said Paul Wanyeki, Deputy Director at Kenya’s TVET Authority. “We should not implement it just because others are doing it, but because there is a clear need in our economy.”

Ensuring quality and credibility was also seen as critical.

“If assessment tools are weak, the certificates will not reflect real competencies—and employers will lose trust in the system,” said Dan, Head of Policy and Research at the Federation of Uganda Employers.

Participants further stressed the importance of aligning RPL systems with national development priorities, such as agriculture transformation, infrastructure and industrial development, to enhance relevance and uptake.

Government representative from Kenya at the workshop — Mike Kimuko - Director of Administration, Ministry of Labour & Social Protection in Kenya addressing participants.

From pilot initiatives to system-wide approaches

While many countries have made progress in piloting RPL, discussions highlighted the need to move towards institutionalized systems supported by national qualifications frameworks, clear governance structures and sustainable financing mechanisms.

Participants also emphasized the importance of data, monitoring and continuous learning to demonstrate impact, improve systems and build trust among stakeholders.

Reflecting on the workshop, Albert Okal, ILO Skills and Lifelong Learning Specialist at DWT/CO-Pretoria, said: “Countries are moving from isolated pilots to building systems. The priority now is to ensure these systems are trusted, properly financed and embedded within national skills and labour market policies.”

At the continental level, the African Union highlighted RPL as a key instrument for advancing skills development under the Continental TVET Strategy and Agenda 2063, particularly in addressing informality and youth employment challenges.

Representative of the Netherlands at the event — Jaco Beerends, Deputy Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kenya explaining their motivation to support the RPL initiative through PROSPECTS Partnership.

Strengthening collaboration for inclusive labour markets

The Nairobi workshop reinforced the value of cross-country learning and partnerships in advancing inclusive skills systems.

Participants underscored that collaboration with employers, workers’ organizations, civil society and local institutions is essential to reach vulnerable groups, including refugees and workers in the informal economy.

By sharing practical experiences and lessons learned, participating countries are better equipped to design and implement RPL systems that expand access to decent work and support economic inclusion.

The ILO will continue to support countries in scaling up RPL as a key pathway to recognize skills, promote lifelong learning and ensure that no worker is left behind.