Human Capital Africa (HCA), in collaboration with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), UNICEF, and The Dangote Foundation, orchestrated a pivotal event in Addis Ababa on February 12–13, rallying African Heads of State, Education Ministers, and development partners, including African youth voices.
Addressing Africa’s educational challenges head-on, there was an emphasis on the critical need to prioritize foundational learning ahead of the African Union Year of Education.
“With nine out of ten African children unable to read with understanding and do basic math by age 10, urgency is paramount,” stressed H.E. Erastus Mwencha, HCA Advisory Board member.
Former Minister of Finance of South Africa and HCA Advisory Board Member TREVOR A. MANUEL underscored the imperative for action: “Heads of State must understand that they have the power to reverse this decay.”
Special guest of honor, Her Excellency President Sahle-work Zewde of Ethiopia, affirmed the commitment to education: “Heads of State and Government have prioritized education through the declaration of 2024 as the African Year of Education.”
Representatives of the HCA/ADEA Ministerial Coalition echoed the call to ensure quality education for every child in Africa, as voiced by Hon. Min Madalitso Wirima, Minister of Education of Malawi, and Chair of the Coalition: “We stand united in our mission to ensure that every boy and every girl can read and perform mathematics.”
Furthermore, the need for better use of data was emphasized by Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili Ezekwesili, CEO of HCA: “If there is a proper evidence-based approach, then the incremental cost of doing the right things at foundational levels will be negligible compared to the outcomes that it will achieve throughout the education system.”
The Executive Secretary of ADEA, Albert Nsengiyumva, stressed: “We have all understood the challenge we face, we must now ensure that our concerns are shared as widely as possible and that Heads of State hear our message in the context of all the challenges facing the continent.”
The event concluded with a resounding call to action released jointly by HCA and ADEA. While it celebrated the leadership demonstrated by African countries thus far in addressing the learning crisis, the call to action outlined key priorities, including acknowledging the urgency of the crisis, committing to all children reading with comprehension and doing basic mathematics by age 10, and developing accountability mechanisms.
It emphasized the importance of regularly measuring learning outcomes, implementing cost-effective, evidence-based solutions, and holding ourselves and our development partners accountable for supporting proven interventions.
Education is the ONLY pathway to optimizing the human capital that Africa needs. The African Year of Education is not just about 2024 but about shaping the future until 2063 and beyond.
