Addis Ababa, April 14, 2025 (FMC) — Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, Eng. Habtamu Itefa, has called for a deeper integration of knowledge, experience, and technology across Africa to overcome the continent’s manufacturing challenges and accelerate industrial development.
Speaking at the opening of the 3rd African Welding Federation Annual Assembly and International Conference, being held in Addis Ababa under the theme “Empowering Africa: Strengthening Welding Capacity for Regional Integration and Global Competitiveness,” Habtamu underscored that shared learning and hands-on technical skills are key to achieving a sustainable industrial future.
“Relying solely on external markets will not lead us to our desired future. Therefore, it is vital to learn from one another and share experiences,” the Minister stated, emphasizing the need for youth to be equipped with vocational skills, particularly in welding—a sector essential to infrastructure, energy, and industrial growth.
He noted that Ethiopia has taken a leading role in welding training, especially to meet growing demand in the water and energy sectors. Habtamu also stressed that the conference offers a unique platform to enhance regional and international collaboration to build a competitive and skilled workforce.
Echoing similar sentiments, President of the African Welding Federation, Hamed Abdelaleem, pointed out that welding is a cornerstone for industrialization, touching critical sectors such as automotive, construction, and mining. He said demand for skilled welders continues to outstrip supply across the continent, and that this conference aims to close that gap through skill development, resource sharing, and harmonized certification programs.
The Federation, he added, is committed to empowering member states through policy support, capacity-building, and industry-career linkages, and is already witnessing progress in various countries.
Also speaking at the event, Ethiopia’s State Minister of Labor and Skills, Teshager Berecha, said the assembly plays a vital role in facilitating the exchange of technical knowledge among African experts. He reaffirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to technical collaboration and urged for stronger continental partnerships to advance welding and industrial development.
Director General of Ethiopia’s Technical and Vocational Training Institute, Biruk Kedir, highlighted the strategic role of welding in positioning Africa as a global manufacturing hub. He called for harmonization of skills standards, greater technology transfer, and the empowerment of young professionals to ensure the continent’s global competitiveness.
The three-day conference, hosted at the Adwa Memorial Museum, is set to delve into the latest innovations in materials and manufacturing technologies, with the broader goal of strengthening Africa’s industrial capacity and self-reliance.