Event programme

3,000+ Delegates: 65% local, 20% Member States, 10% diaspora & international community, 5% AU agencies. Opening of the AFESTACC & ISWA 2026 Village (Exhibition Centre) with ribbon cutting by the Guest of Honour H.E. John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana.

Delegates arrive, collect accreditation and take their seats for the official opening.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Opening prayer by faith leaders, the African Union and Ghana national anthems, and the introduction of dignitaries.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Welcome remarks on AFESTACC and ISWA 2026 by the host Government of the Republic of Ghana, followed by AUDA-NEPAD unpacking the four-day gathering.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Messages from the African Diplomatic Corps, the Global South community, strategic partners, the traditional and religious leadership of Ghana, and the African Diaspora (the 6th Region).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Official Opening of AFESTACC and of ISWA 2026; Launch of the Continental Association of TVET Regulators in Africa (ATRA); Launch of the ATIA; Launch of the Forum for Federations of Medical Products Manufacturers for Africa (AFFMPMA); Launch of the Continental Beauty and Textile Study; Launch of the 35 Nutritious Pan-African Cuisines; NEPAD@25

Music and cultural performances.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Remarks from the co-convener, AUDA-NEPAD, and the official opening by the Guest of Honour, including the handover to the next region and country to host AFESTACC in 2027.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Dignitaries

VIPs/VVIPs proceed to holding rooms for lunch (12:00 – 13:30)

Launch of the Association of TVET Regulators in Africa (ATRA) and the Forum for Federations of Medical Products Manufacturers for Africa (AFFMPMA), and signing of agreements, MoUs and letters of intent.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Ribbon-cutting at the exhibition centre: the official opening of the AFESTACC Village and exhibition spaces.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Open to all delegates

Exhibition tour open to all delegates: Member State pavilions, creative marketplace and exhibitions.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

A spectacular evening that sets the tone for the Festival: welcome from the conveners, cultural performances, top contemporary African artists and DJs.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

2,000+ delegates: 65% local, 20% Member States, 10% diaspora & international community, 5% AU agencies

Welcome to Industrial Skills Week Africa, with messages of support from industry, the human capital development community and strategic partners.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

A panel on connecting Africa's skills development agenda with industry, entrepreneurship, innovation and employment.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

How investment, partnerships and collaboration can strengthen skills supply, respond to labour-market demand and accelerate workforce readiness

The proposed launch of a continental study on Africa's beauty and textile industries.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Dignitaries

Awards ceremony recognising excellence in technical and vocational education and training.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Parallel session (part A).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Parallel session (part A).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Parallel session (part A).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Parallel session (part A).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Parallel session (part A).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Parallel session (part B).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Parallel session (part B).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Parallel session (part B).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Parallel session (part B).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Parallel session (part B).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Parallel session (part B).

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

30,000 participants

An evening of African music and entertainment with top DJs.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Celebrating Africa's development journey: AUDA-NEPAD at 25.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Reflecting on AUDA-NEPAD's legacy and future development priorities.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Launch of the Silver Jubilee Colloquium.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Showcasing the richness and diversity of Africa's culinary traditions.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Afro Gastro continues with the reveal of the 35 Pan-African Nutritious Cuisines Initiative.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

35,000 participants

An African fashion showcase envisaged in collaboration with the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD), with cultural performances, music and a celebration of African design and creativity.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.

Health & Wellness Walk (5 km)

Led by Sports Personalities

Africa in Motion: participants come together in a shared celebration of health, wellbeing and Pan-African solidarity. Assembly at the meeting point at 10:00, the walk from 10:15, then announcements, the declaration and closing.

Provisional: times and details are subject to confirmation. Venue to be confirmed.