Skills levies are critical in funding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) globally, and particularly in Africa. This research explores the objectives, structures, and implementation practices of the skills levy systems in seven African countries participating in our Going Global Partnership programme - Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania, as well as the UK.
By examining factors such as levy design, implementation, and contextual influences, the research offers insights into customising these systems to achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes. Key topics include balancing levy funding with other financial sources, providing exemptions for smaller employers, and ensuring transparency in levy operations, while identifying shared challenges and offering actionable policy recommendations.
The research builds on the international policy seminar titled Investing in Skills: How do we Maximise the Impact of TVET Funding? which we hosted in February 2024. During this event, senior policymakers and education leaders from eleven countries discussed diverse models for TVET funding, with a particular interest in skills levies and their potential impact.
View the Full report and an Executive summary of the key findings and policy recommendations in the Downloads section below.
This research is part of the British Council Going Global Partnerships programme, which supports universities, colleges and wider education stakeholders around the world to work together towards stronger, equitable, inclusive, more internationally connected higher education, science and TVET.