Webinar - NQFs: a strategic tool for recognising skills in the era of lifelong learning

On 30 September 2026, the African Foundation for Lifelong Learning (FAATLV), in partnership with the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), hosted the webinar, ‘National Qualifications Frameworks (NQF): a strategic tool for recognising skills in the era of lifelong learning’. The event is part of the UIL global webinar series, ‘Unlocking the power of lifelong learning’, bringing together stakeholders from across the globe every first and third Wednesday of the month. Across many African countries and beyond, education and labour systems are undergoing rapid transformation driven by technological change, evolving skills needs and increasing labour mobility. In this context, ensuring that skills acquired in different settings are properly recognised has become a central policy priority. NQFs have emerged as key instruments for structuring qualifications systems and improving transparency across learning pathways. From a lifelong learning perspective, NQFs go beyond the classification of diplomas. They enable the recognition of skills acquired throughout life, including through formal education, vocational training, workplace learning and informal experiences. Thus, they contribute to improved employability, greater social inclusion and enhanced mobility between education and employment systems. This webinar explored the strategic role of the NQF as a lever for transforming African education systems, and examined the conditions for its effective implementation in support of lifelong learning and social inclusion. Objectives Explore the role of NQFs in recognising and valuing diverse forms of learning Examine their contribution to employability, mobility and inclusion Share experiences and policy approaches from different contexts Identify conditions for effective implementation in support of lifelong learning systems Agenda Opening Remarks Mr. Aziz KAICHOUH, President of the African Foundation for Lifelong Learning (AF3L); Ms. Isabell KEMPF, Director of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL). Axis 1: The National Qualifications Framework (NQF): A Structuring Instrument for Skills Recognition within a Lifelong Learning Perspective Mr. Mohamed Slassi Sennou Axis 2: Pathways between Formal, Non-Formal and Informal Learning: Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Mr. Ruud Duvekot Axis 3: Conditions for the Effective Implementation of NQFs: African Experiences, Governance, and Alignment with Continental Frameworks. Ms. Winnie Anne Bulimo Discussion and exchanges Closing - Summary of discussions AF3L and UIL