by David Shedrack

TRANSFORMING EDUCATION IN AFRICA – EXECUTIVE SUMMARY2
FOREWORD
This report is the result of a successful collaboration
between UNICEF and the African Union Commission.
The report intends to contribute to the facilitation of
high-level policy discussions between national education
authorities, regional and continental bodies on possible
strategic shifts and interventions to boost access to
education and improve the quality of teaching and
learning in Africa. The report provides evidence-based
analysis of the situation of education in Africa while
putting into perspective the Sustainable Development
Goals and the objectives of the Continental Education
Strategy for Africa (CESA 16–25) in line with the African
Union Agenda 2063. It highlights the progress made in
the continent’s education sector over the past decade
(2010–2020) while pointing out the challenges that
remain, particularly in the area of equity.
This report comes at a time when the global context
(health, education, financial systems) is severely
challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, from which
Africa is not exempted. While much of the data
presented in the report predates the pandemic, it also
describes how some African countries have responded
to the COVID-19 crisis in innovative ways, such as by
offering distance education to children, combining high-
tech and low-cost solutions to ensure the safe continuity
of learning while schools were closed. The pandemic
can be seen as an opportunity to reimagine education
in Africa, including safe, healthy and inclusive schools,
greater use of digital technologies, and teachers who are
well trained to bring these technologies to life to help
children learn.
With such a young population (3 out of 5 Africans are under
25 years old), it is now time for African governments to
boost their investment in education in order not to miss the
current window of opportunity. Harnessing the continent’s
demographic dividend and investing in human capital can
deliver huge impact and results in and for Africa.
UNICEF and the African Union Commission hope that
all African governments can act now to improve their
education systems by allocating funds more fairly and
efficiently despite the additional fiscal pressure that
the COVID-19 pandemic has created. Eliue Kipcho, the
Kenyan Marathon world record holder, once said, “The
best time to plant a tree was 25 years ago. The second-
best time to plant a tree is today.”
UNICEF and the African Union Commission appeal to
all African governments to seize the opportunity and
renew their commitments to enhance the governance
and efficiency of education services through digital
transformation, reimagining education systems and
skills acquisition to meet the needs of a growing digital
economy.