Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Dr Reginah Mhaule, participated at the Innovation Africa 2025 Ministerial Summit for Education, ICT and Skills from 28 to 30 April 2025 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Under the theme: “Educate and Skill Africa for the 21st Century", Innovation Africa is a high-level ministerial forum where industry partners engage in pre-scheduled meetings and committed engagement with ministers and senior government officials from over 40 countries. It has become one of the leading gatherings of Ministers and officials for education and ICT along with the best-in-class education and ICT solution providers.

Honourable Temesgen Truneh, Deputy Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, opened the Summit remarking that education, technology and skills development are critical for nurturing the next generation. The Deputy Prime Minister shared the ongoing efforts in school construction, infrastructure development, digital network expansion and innovation and skills enhancement. He further called for stronger collaboration amongst stakeholders and partners to achieve transformative change across Africa. Minister of Education, Professor Berhanu Nega, emphasised the urgency of equipping the future generation with the necessary education, technology and skills within an increasingly complex global environment.

Deputy Minister Mhaule participated in a Panel Session titled: Setting Up for Success: Access and Inclusivity Policies Essential for a Productive Knowledge Economy. Chaired by Mr Aaron Fright, Regional Director of Smart Technologies, the session invited panellists to reflect on the key pillars of their countries' access and inclusive policies currently being implemented in education, and how these will contribute to shaping a more equitable knowledge economy.

In her remarks, Dr Mhaule said that, “South Africa’s access and inclusivity policies in education are driven by a strong commitment to redressing historical inequalities and building a more equitable knowledge economy,” adding that access, equity and inclusion are key and that these are incorporated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and all legislation developed after 1994 are responding to the transformation, inclusion and the equality agenda. She emphasised that education in South Africa is accessible for all learners and that Government has also introduced policies such as the National School Nutrition Programme to ensure that learners from disadvantaged homes have at least one meal a day.

Deputy Minister Mhaule was supported by Mr Seliki Tlhabane, Chief Director, MST and Curriculum Enhancement Programmes; Ms Ncedile Mdhluli, Head of Office of the Deputy Minister; and Ms Phozisa Mukwevho, Deputy Director, International Relations and Multilateral Affairs. Additionally, the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Education in Gauteng, Mr Matome Chiloane was in attendance and participated in a Panel Session on New Competencies and Skills to Develop African Innovators and Entrepreneurs. The Mpumalanga Education Department was also represented by senior officials.