The city of Oran, Algeria, is set to host the African Skills Olympics 2026, a premier continental event focused on skills development, from November 16-19. The event is organized under the high patronage of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune and supervised by the Ministry of Vocational Training and Education, in partnership with the African Union, WorldSkills Algeria, and the African Skills Policy Forum.
The Mediterranean Village in Oran has been prepared to accommodate over 600 young participants from 18 African countries, who will compete in 45 professions across six skill categories. The event is expected to attract around 40,000 visitors, with 400 volunteers and 120 media partners providing support. The participants will be part of delegations that include over 30 ministerial delegations.
Algeria's role in the event goes beyond hosting, as the country will also lead the organization and scientific framework of the event. Algerian competitors will participate in various specialties, alongside national experts and professors, such as Professor Fouad Lamooshi, Professor Hamida Farhat, and Amira Hamdad, who will lead lectures on Industry 4.0 and entrepreneurship workshops.
The four-day event will feature lectures, competitions, and interactions between participants and visitors. The first day will include an official opening ceremony at the Miloud Hadefi Stadium, followed by a visit to the exhibition space at the Mohamed Ben Ahmed Convention Center. The second day will mark the start of open competitions for the public, alongside the African Skills Policy Forum and a ministerial roundtable.
The third day of the event will see continued competitions and intellectual sessions, with experts working on drafting the "Oran Declaration" and preparing the "Oran Framework 2026-2027" to unify training standards and mutual recognition of certificates in Africa. The event will feature international experts, including Dr. Salem Ben Nasser Al-Naimi.
On the final day of the event, the competitions will conclude in the morning, and the evening will feature an awards ceremony at the Convention Center. By hosting this event, Algeria reaffirms its commitment to empowering African youth with future skills to drive sustainable development on the continent.
The African Skills Olympics 2026 is expected to have a significant impact on the continent, providing a platform for young people to showcase their skills and compete with their peers. The event will also provide an opportunity for Algeria to demonstrate its capabilities in hosting large-scale international events.
Key points
- The African Skills Olympics 2026 will feature 600 young participants from 18 African countries competing in 45 professions.
- The event is expected to attract around 40,000 visitors and will be supported by 400 volunteers and 120 media partners.
- Algeria's hosting of the event demonstrates its commitment to empowering African youth with future skills to drive sustainable development.
