Accra: Ghana is set to become a global hub for science, innovation, and skills development as it hosts the 2025 edition of the Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition on Education and Skills Development (ARC-EDS) in August. The event will take place from August 5 to 7 at the Accra International Conference Centre, drawing participants from Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America.
According to Ghana News Agency, this year's gathering is themed 'Harnessing Entrepreneurship and Innovation to Tackle Youth Unemployment'. It integrates quantum science, technical education, and innovation to explore new solutions for Africa's economic transformation. The event is also Africa's flagship for the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology (IYQ 2025), declared by UNESCO to highlight the potential of quantum science.
Dr. Augustine Larweh Mahu, a Mathematical and Theoretical Physicist and Lecturer at the University of Ghana, emphasized the opportunity to link cutting-edge science with practical training and entrepreneurship. He noted that quantum science is emerging as a foundational pillar in advanced computing, cybersecurity, energy infrastructure, and logistics.
Organisers of ARC-EDS 2025 aim to expand engagement with industry, technology firms, and entrepreneurs by creating spaces where innovation meets real-world needs. The event will feature sector-focused innovation tracks and a dedicated IYQ Innovation Pavilion, allowing companies to showcase technologies, sponsor student-led innovations, and engage with policymakers, educators, and innovators.
In addition to promoting new technologies, the conference will enable participating firms to identify talent from Ghana's leading STEM and technical universities and explore partnerships with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
According to Ms. Sarah Osei, Chair of the Local Organising Committee and Programme Lead at ESDEV Foundation Africa, ARC-EDS 2025 is where Africa's skills development meets its innovation future. She highlighted the opportunity for industry leaders to shape training, innovation, and global competition.
Key sectors expected to participate include telecommunications, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and energy. Major Ghanaian institutions such as the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, Volta River Authority, and Ghana Grid Company will also be involved.
Supported by UNESCO, the African Union, UNICEF, British Council Ghana, and over 30 academic and scientific institutions worldwide, the event is expected to attract more than 1,000 delegates, including students, researchers, investors, and development partners.
A highlight of the event will be the launch of the F.K.A. Allotey Lecture Series in Quantum Science and Technology, named in honor of the celebrated Ghanaian physicist Professor Francis Kofi Ampenyin Allotey. The inaugural keynote will be delivered by a Nobel Laureate.
In addition to high-level lectures and innovation showcases, ARC-EDS 2025 will unveil a Continental Agenda for Quantum Education-a strategic framework to guide curriculum innovation, policy collaboration, and workforce training in quantum technologies across Africa.
Private sector companies and institutions are invited to participate by exhibiting technologies, sponsoring sessions, or partnering with educational institutions to promote innovation and entrepreneurship. The Africa Regional Conference and Exhibition on Education and Skills Development is an annual platform initiated by ESDEV Foundation Africa to promote inclusive education, employability, and innovation across the continent. The 2025 edition is being organised in collaboration with Ghana's technical universities and a wide network of public and private partners.
