Two African-led coalitions for foundational learning launch in Abuja
Nine out of ten children in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot read and understand a simple text by age ten. This is not just an education challenge — it is a human capital emergency.
In Abuja, Human Capital Africa — in partnership with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the Aliko Dangote Foundation and the African Philanthropy Forum — convened a high-level dinner that marked a turning point in Africa’s education story.
Two new coalitions
The African CEOs’ Coalition for Foundational Learning mobilises private-sector leaders to harness their influence, innovation and expertise to strengthen learning delivery, shape policy, and build the workforce Africa’s future demands. The Africa Philanthropy Coalition for Foundational Learning aligns African philanthropies to pool resources, share knowledge, and scale homegrown solutions that work.
With global education aid projected to fall by $3.2 billion between 2023 and 2026, African leaders agreed that the continent must step up and own its solutions.
“Africa-led philanthropy and private sector leadership can change the trajectory of education on our continent. It is a solvable problem — but only if we work together.” — Dr Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, Founder & CEO, HCA
“When the foundation is weak, there is only so much you can build on top,” said Niyi Yusuf, Chairman of the NESG. Zouera Youssoufou, CEO of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, added: “If you don’t get foundational learning right, nothing else will matter. We are here to catalyse, not to replace.”
Mosun Layode of the African Philanthropy Forum described the Forum’s role as turning “scattered generosity into strategic collaboration” — building the monitoring systems, data sharing and transparency that let giving be scaled and sustained.
The new coalitions complement the African Ministerial Coalition for Foundational Learning, which now comprises over 30 countries committed to ending learning poverty by 2035. The event welcomed Hon. Prof. Suwaiba Sa’idu Ahmad, Minister of State for Education, Nigeria, alongside partners including the Ford Foundation, the Sterling One Foundation, and the Malala Fund — represented by Ziauddin Yousafzai, co-founder and father of Malala Yousafzai.
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From the session
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