Advocacy · Adoption · Accountability
Moving Foundational Learning from commitment to implementation.
Human Capital Africa is an advocacy and accountability organisation that uses evidence to mobilise governments and leaders to take actions that improve Foundational Learning (literacy, numeracy and socio-emotional skills) outcomes for children across Africa.
We build political will, support the adoption of evidence-informed reforms and strengthen accountability for results — so that African children gain the foundations they need to learn, thrive and contribute.
The challenge
Africa is facing a profound learning crisis. Most children in Sub-Saharan Africa are unable to read and understand a simple text by age ten. Many also lack the basic numeracy and socio-emotional skills they need to continue learning, participate fully in society and build productive lives.
Foundational Learning is not only an education priority. It shapes future skills, health choices, employability, productivity, civic participation and the long-term prosperity of African countries.
How HCA drives change
HCA works through three connected pathways:
Advocacy
We use evidence, strategic communication and the influence of respected African leaders to build urgency and political commitment around Foundational Learning.
Adoption
We support governments and partners to translate commitment into appropriate policies, plans, financing, delivery arrangements and evidence-informed action.
Accountability
We develop tools, targets and review processes that help leaders track progress, identify implementation gaps and remain accountable for results.
From continental commitment to local delivery
Improved learning outcomes require action across the entire education system. HCA works with continental institutions, national governments, ministries, districts, school leaders, communities and implementation partners to connect high-level commitments with the realities of delivery.
- 1Continental leadership
- 2National policy and financing
- 3District and middle-tier delivery
- 4Schools and communities
- 5Improved learning outcomes
Our work today
Evidence into action, across the system.
- Convening African Ministers of Education and senior leaders around shared Foundational Learning commitments.
- Supporting countries to assess policy adoption and implementation progress through the HCA Foundational Learning Scorecard and Adoption Tracker.
- Working with national and subnational leaders to establish regular accountability and performance-review routines.
- Strengthening the role of districts and other middle-tier actors in translating policy into classroom results.
- Mobilising private sector, philanthropy, civil society and implementation partners around the learning crisis.
- Using evidence, stories and strategic communication to sustain public and political attention.
Featured work and latest activities
Strengthening the middle tier: how African countries are delivering on foundational learning commitments
At FLEX 2026, HCA convened ministers, district leaders and education experts from across Africa around one question: how do we move from commitment to implementation?
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