The shortage of engineers is a major concern in Africa and across the world where there has been declining interest and enrolment of young people, especially women. Engineering is vital to addressing basic human needs: an estimated 2.5 million new engineers and technicians are required in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve the Millennium Development Goals of improved access to clean water and sanitation.

The objective of the UNESCO Africa Engineering Week is to increase the visibility of engineering and its role in sustainable development and to encourage more students to study engineering by supplementing primary and secondary curriculum with hands-on engineering activity kits. These goals will be realized through educational, public awareness, university and mentoring activities held throughout the African continent during the week. There is a great need for engineers to achieve sustainable development in Africa and the UNESCO Africa Engineering Week is a critically needed to increase engineering capacity and competence.