Africa’s Education Policy Reforms Discussed at Conferences
Africa’s Education Policy Reforms Discussed at Conferences
In 2025, a series of pivotal conferences across Africa have brought together policymakers, educators, and stakeholders to evaluate and advance education policy reforms. These gatherings have focused on assessing past strategies, addressing current challenges, and setting the course for the continent’s educational future.
Evaluating the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2016–2025
The Future of Education in Africa Conference, scheduled for December 4–5, 2025, in Nigeria, aims to assess the implementation of the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2016–2025. Under the theme “Building a Sustainable Educational Future for a Resilient and Inclusive Africa: Evaluating CESA 2016–2025 Performance,” the conference will reflect on achievements, challenges, and strategies for a resilient and inclusive educational future in Africa. (futureofeduinafrica.org.ng)
Addressing Foundational Learning Challenges
In August 2025, the Africa Fellows in Education Program (AFEP) Symposium convened in Nairobi, Kenya, focusing on strengthening foundational learning. The event emphasized the importance of solutions grounded in rigorous, locally generated evidence to address the learning crisis, highlighting the need for education systems to reflect Africa’s linguistic diversity and adapt curricula accordingly. (pep-net.org)
South Africa’s Focus on Basic Education Reform
In February 2025, the World Bank’s 15th Economic Update highlighted challenges in South Africa’s basic education sector and proposed reforms to improve learning outcomes. The event featured insights from Minister Siviwe Gwarube and expert discussions on advancing education and reducing inequality, emphasizing the need for inclusive growth through education. (worldbank.org)
Distance Education and Teacher Training
The Distance Education and Teachers’ Training in Africa (DETA) Conference, held from July 22 to 25, 2025, at the Mauritius Institute of Education, focused on “Education for Empowering the Global South: Technologies and Pedagogies for Distance Teacher Education.” The conference aimed to contribute to the debate on teacher training in Africa and build capacity for the delivery of teacher training programs. (up.ac.za)
Improving Primary Education Learning
In January 2025, the “Apprendre pour Demain” (Learn for Tomorrow) forum was held in Dakar, Senegal, focusing on improving primary education learning in Sub-Saharan Africa. Organized by CONFEMEN with support from the Gates Foundation, the event aimed to strengthen dialogue between African countries, pool efforts, and exchange on successful reforms and best practices. (apd2025.org)
Continental Education Conference
In December 2024, the African Union, in collaboration with UNICEF, convened a Continental Education Conference in Nouakchott, Mauritania. The conference aimed to advocate for scaling up successful and innovative solutions towards achieving quality and equitable education, proposing the declaration of 2025–2034 as the “Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development in Africa.” (au.int)
Global Perspectives on Teacher Preparation
The Global Network of Deans of Education Symposium, held virtually on August 26, 2025, focused on “Future-Proofing Teachers: Global Perspectives on Integrating AI and Digital Tools in Teacher Preparation.” The symposium brought together educational leaders to explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in shaping teacher preparation. (up.ac.za)
Reimagining Higher Education
The Association of African Universities (AAU) held its 16th General Conference from July 21 to 25, 2025, in Rabat, Morocco. Under the theme “Shaping the Future of Higher Education for Innovation and Sustainable Development in Africa,” stakeholders explored curriculum reform, funding strategies, and the integration of indigenous knowledge into education systems. (aau.org)
ADEA Triennale 2025
The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) is set to hold its Triennale from October 29 to 31, 2025, in Accra, Ghana. The event aims to take stock, learn, share experiences, and commit to developing drivers and conditions for resilient educational systems, focusing on Africa’s key education priorities. (adeanet.org)
These conferences underscore a continent-wide commitment to evaluating and reforming education policies to build resilient, inclusive, and innovative education systems across Africa.
