Human Capital Africa

Human Capital Africa is a new accountability and advocacy organization that uses evidence to mobilize governments to take actions that improve foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN) outcomes for children in Sub-Saharan Africa. #africa #education #sdg4 #humancapital

On this International Day of the Girl Child, Human Capital Africa highlights the importance of providing quality and equitable education for every girl. It's not just a moral imperative; it's economically and socially wise. Research shows that educating girls significantly improves economic growth, health outcomes, and overall societal well-being. When a girl receives at least 12 years of quality education: Economic Benefits: Every extra year a girl stays in school, her income can increase by up to 20%, contributing to higher GDP growth (World Bank, 2018). Health Benefits: Educated women make better life decisions regarding reproduction and marriage and are more likely to seek healthcare, reducing maternal and child mortality rates (UNICEF, 2021). This year’s theme, "Invest in Girls' Rights, Our Leadership, Our Well-being," aligns perfectly with the urgent need for foundational learning. To build a sustainable future, we must ensure that girls are given equal access to the tools that will allow them to thrive in leadership roles, make informed health choices, and drive economic change. This must be prioritized as well in their very early years. By investing in girls' education, we are investing in Africa's future. Let’s work together to break down barriers and ensure every girl has the opportunity to lead, innovate, and succeed.

Dr. Pia Rebello Britto of UNICEF emphasized the urgency of addressing the education crisis. The learning crisis affecting Africa's children is an emergency that requires prompt and decisive action from governments, development partners, and educators. The future of our children and our continent hinges on our actions today. With 9 out of 10 children in sub-Saharan Africa unable to read by age 10, this is more than just a crisis—it's a call to action. However, we have the solutions. We can ensure that no child is left behind by implementing evidence-based strategies such as Structured Pedagogy and expanding successful programs. This is our moment to act, and the time is now. Together, we can create a brighter future for Africa's children.

It's been in the works for months! We are now set!! 🚀 Ready to shape the future of education in Africa? Registration is now OPEN for the biggest foundational learning event in Africa! The African Foundational Learning Exchange (#FLEX2024)! 🌍 Join us in Kigali, Rwanda, from November 11-13, 2024, for the continent’s largest gathering on foundational learning. #FLEX2024 will bring together policymakers, education experts, and thought leaders to discuss innovative solutions to improve learning outcomes for millions of children across Africa. Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation that will drive change and transform education! 🎓 👉 Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/dribhUHN Use Code 102 to register! #FLEX2024 #FoundationalLearning #EducationAfrica #AfricaFLEX #LearningForAll

Foundational education takes centre stage in shaping Africa’s future. Dr Joyce Banda's remarks at the recent UNGA79 side event serve as a reminder that a prosperous Africa starts with education. When we invest in foundational learning, we unlock endless potential. A child who can read and count is not just a statistic but the future of innovation, economic growth, and global influence. Strengthening foundational literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills enables children to thrive, securing the continent’s demographic dividend and future workforce. Africa’s leaders, development partners, and communities must collaborate to ensure that all children can read with comprehension and perform basic math by age 10. This isn’t just about closing the gap—it’s about preparing for the future of a prosperous and influential Africa as outlined in Agenda 2063.

Today, on World Teachers’ Day, we at Human Capital Africa express our deep appreciation for the extraordinary work teachers do daily. Teachers are the cornerstone of Africa's development. Their dedication to shaping young minds is integral to the future we all envision for our continent. The quality of education—and, by extension, the quality of our future workforce—rests in the hands of these incredible educators who wake up every day to inspire, challenge, and uplift the next generation. As we continue to push for educational reforms and enhanced learning outcomes, we must recognize that teachers are at the heart of these efforts. Without them, there can be no meaningful progress. Every successful policy or initiative depends on their expertise, passion, and commitment to the success of our children. This World Teachers’ Day, we acknowledge teachers' pivotal role in realizing Africa’s potential. To all the teachers across the continent: thank you for the sacrifices you make, the knowledge you impart, and the hope you inspire. As we look toward the future, investing in teachers' training, well-being, and professional development is not just a necessity—it is essential to ensuring that every African child receives the quality education they deserve. At Human Capital Africa, we remain committed to supporting initiatives that empower teachers, enhance learning outcomes, and build resilient education systems for the future of our continent.

Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, the Minister of Education in Ghana, has set a significant goal for Africa: 90% of children should be proficient in reading by age 10. His impactful statement at the #UNGA2024 side event organised by the African Union, Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). VVOB, Teaching at the Right Level Africa, Hempel Foundation, UNICEF and Human Capital Africa urge us to contemplate our responsibilities as educators, policymakers, and communities. If children attend school regularly but are not proficient in reading, the issue lies not with the children, but with the systems, structures, and support we provide for them.   This is not just about literacy; it's about establishing a foundation for lifelong learning. Ensuring that every child can read opens doors to opportunities, reduces inequalities, and empowers future generations to thrive.   This goal aligns with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA), both of which emphasize the crucial role of education in shaping the Africa we desire. As 2024 has been designated the Year of Education, this presents a unique opportunity to rally efforts and expedite progress towards achieving these goals.   Attaining this target is not merely a goal; it's an urgent imperative. This requires implementing evidence-based solutions that can enhance learning outcomes. Together, we can ensure that no child is left behind. Let's take action now for the children of Africa and the future of our continent!

Investing in Tomorrow: The African Union Year of Education Catalyzing Progress for Africa and the World The high-level event, “Investing in Tomorrow,” held at #UNGA79, powerfully reaffirmed Africa’s commitment to building resilient and quality education for all. Hosted on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, it marked the mid-term of the African Union's 2024 Year of Education and brought together policymakers, ministers, and stakeholders to discuss the future of education across the continent. H.E. Mohammed Belhocine, African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation, stressed that education is "a beacon of hope and an engine of progress." He emphasized that foundational learning is critical to breaking the chains of poverty and driving Africa towards prosperity. "This is a call to redouble our efforts," he said. H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, Former President of Tanzania and Chair of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), spoke passionately about the urgent need for investment in education. He pointed out that achieving "the Africa we want" relies on governments committing 15-20% of national educational budgets, as per global benchmarks. Dr. Obiageli “Oby” Ezekwesili, CEO of Human Capital Africa (HCA), lauded the AU for its bold step in making 2024 the Year of Education but stressed that the journey must not stop here. “If we are to achieve future goals like Agenda 2063, we must first fix the foundations of education across the continent,” she stated, calling for stronger accountability and frameworks to ensure quality education for all. Farida Ally, GPE Youth Leader, highlighted the importance of listening to young voices and ensuring their visibility in policy-making. Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director, pointed to the need for greater focus on keeping girls in school, mainly as they are among the most vulnerable populations. Amb. Claver Gatete, Executive Secretary of UNECA, reminded the assembly that "education needs a revolution" and that achieving this transformation requires a united front. Ministers from Sierra Leone, Kenya, Chad, and Malawi also shared insights, underscoring the importance of innovative financing to improve foundational learning outcomes. Benjamin Piper, Director of global Education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, rounded off the conversations by urging the room to Learn from other sectors. Conversations on investing in education need to shift to follow the evidence to invest at scale in what we know works to drive impact in education at the classroom level to achieve learning outcomes, beginning with young learners mastering foundational skills. The event highlighted the urgency of reframing the narrative on investing in education to one where better spending is the pathway to more through interventions that work. Structured Pedagogy and Teaching at Right Level are interventions offering value for money and delivering results, but they are yet to be taken to scale.

Scaling Success: Advancing Foundational Literacy and Numeracy through Partnerships and Innovation in Africa Hosted by the African Union, Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), VVOB, UNICEF, Hempel Foundation, Teaching at the Right Level Africa, and Human Capital Africa, the gathering highlighted the urgency and potential of improving foundational education across the continent. Victoria Egbetayo of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation set the tone, emphasizing that "no matter where children grow up, they deserve access to quality education." She stressed the need to go beyond mere classroom attendance, focusing on actual learning outcomes. The stark reality? 9 out of 10 African children cannot read or do simple math by age ten, representing a potential loss in earnings of $21 trillion by 2030. H.E. Prof. Mohammed Belhocine, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, put the challenge in stark terms: "The average expenditure per child per year is around $260 against a global average of $8,000." He stressed that foundational learning is key to unlocking Africa's potential and achieving the goals of Agenda 2063. Dr. Pia Rebello Britto, UNICEF Global Director of Education and Adolescent Development, echoed this urgency: "We should act as if there is a fire under our feet." She called on governments to increase domestic financing for education to 6% of GDP, in line with the Dakar commitment. The European Union's commitment was clear, with Erica Gerretsen announcing an increase in education investment to over 13% of their international partnerships budget. Furthermore, highlighting the EU's endorsement of a 100 million euro in its regional teachers initiative for Africa, recognizing the critical role of educators. Zambian President H.E. Hakainde Hichilema shared inspiring progress, noting that their catch-up program has led to "significant improvements in early age learning with an outcome of up to 30%." He emphasized that education is not just about economic development, but also "a pathway to understanding, tolerance, and unity." The event showcased Africa's commitment to transforming education, with countries like Rwanda, Malawi, Sierra Leone, and Côte d'Ivoire making significant strides. As we move forward, the focus is clear, together we must work towards scaling up proven, evidence-based interventions to ensure that every African child has the foundational skills needed to thrive. In the words of Former Malawian President, H.E. Joyce Banda, "The future we dream of for Africa – a future of innovation, prosperity, and global influence – begins in the classroom, with a child learning to read and count. Let us commit today to make that future a reality.

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