On 7 April 2025, UNESCO, UNICEF, and the African Union hosted a high-level pre-launch event to unveil the Second Continental Monitoring Report on SDG 4 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) 2016–2025: Transforming Learning and Skills Development in Africa. The gathering brought together ministers, development partners, youth, and education stakeholders to discuss transforming learning and bridging the skills gap across the continent.
Opening the session, Nisha, UNESCO Director and Representative for Southern Africa, described the report, which highlights both achievements and ongoing challenges, as a pivotal milestone:
"This second continental report has been highly anticipated, as it spans a decade and underscores a generational transformation in education and skills development frameworks."
Nisha, UNESCO Director and Representative for Southern Africa
Dr. Caseley Olabode Stephens, Policy Officer (Education) at the African Union Commission Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, emphasized the significance of the moment:
"This discussion is timely and essential as we accelerate efforts to realize the aspiration of the African Union year of education 2024 and the broader AU Agenda 2063 vision for an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa."
Dr. Caseley Olabode Stephens, Policy Officer (Education) at the African Union Commission Department of Education
Financing and governance emerged as key topics, with Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, Director of UNESCO Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA, advocating for smarter, more inclusive investments:
"We need innovative approaches to financing and governance – protecting education budgets while maximising the impact of education spending, including by involving local communities more."
Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, Director of UNESCO Liaison Office to the AU and UNECA
Reflecting on the future economic growth of the continent, Alison Parker, UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, called for utmost importance to develop its human capital through education:
"The successful development of our continent’s human capital – our children – and the growth of our economies hinge on our ability to make quality, inclusive education a reality for every child and young person across Africa."
Alison Parker, UNICEF Deputy Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa
The discussion also underlined the importance of tailoring education systems to local realities. Mohamed Malainine Ould Eyih, Mauritania’s Minister of Vocational Training, Craft and Trades, reminded participants that:
"Education and training systems in Africa must better take into account the social and economic realities specific to each country."
Mohamed Malainine Ould Eyih, Mauritania’s Minister of Vocational Training, Craft and Trades
Finally, the voice of youth was powerfully represented by Samuel Mwendwa Mue, SDG4 Youth & Student Network representative, who urged a more proactive stance toward future challenges:
"Transforming education means shifting the narrative from simply acknowledging the growth of population to taking tangible steps to address it. Transformation must be more proactive and less reactive. Anticipating future shocks is essential: we need resilient educational systems."
Samuel Mwendwa Mue, SDG4 Youth & Student Network representative
The event set the stage for continued dialogue and concrete action as African countries work together to accelerate SDG4 progress and invest in a future where every learner has access to quality, relevant, and resilient education.
To learn more about the strategies and recommendations that will drive this transformation, dive into the full report and explore how we can collectively build a stronger, more sustainable educational landscape for Africa.