Participants to visit the registration site to collect badges and receive additional communication

Exhibitors to install and prepare exhibition materials. Participants can also start visiting the exhibition site and engaging exhibitors.

Moderator: Dr. Julie Gichuru, Founder and CEO, Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI)

Rapporteurs:

• Prof. Kirun Bhujun, Chief Rapporteur
• Prof. Hellen Inyega, Professor of Language and Literacy Education, University of Nairobi
• Christine Harris-Van Keuren, SALT Analytics

Panellists:

1. Hon. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Minister for Finance, Ghana
2. Emmanuel Lamptey, Group Chief Operating Officer, United Bank of Africa (UBA), Africa
3. Serigne Mbaye Thiam, GPE High Level Envoy, Global Partnership for Education (GPE)
4. Hon. Joseph Nsengimana, Minister of Education, Rwanda
5. S.E. Dr. Houdah Babah Sid M’hamed, Minister of Education and Reform for Education System, Mauritania

Call to Action on sustainable finance for education in Africa: Hon. Haruna Iddrisu (MP), Minister of Education, Ghana

• Arrival of the Special Guest of Honour & Tour of Exhibition:
  • Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana
• Opening remarks:
  • Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary, ADEA
  • H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Commissioner, Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), African Union
• Exposition on the Main Theme – “Strengthening the resilience of Africa’s educational systems: advancing towards ending learning poverty by 2035 with a well-educated and skilled workforce for the continent and beyond”:
  • Eyerusalem Fasika, Country Manager, African Development Bank (AfDB), Ghana Country Office
  • Prof. Kwame Akyeampong, Professor of International Education and Development, The Open University. Expert in Education Systems in Africa
• Welcome remarks & Introduction of the Special Guest of Honour:
  • Hon. Haruna Iddrisu (MP), Minister of Education, Ghana
• Keynote Address by the Special Guest of Honour:
  • Her Excellency Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana
• Vote of Thanks:
  • Lydia Essuah, Chief Director, Ministry of Education
• Photo session

Part 1. Ministerial panel or fireside chat: Progress, challenges, and the role of technical assistance in advancing FL (30 min)

Moderator: Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Founder & CEO, Human Capital Africa (HCA)

Rapporteurs:

• Prof. Hellen Inyega, Professor of Language and Literacy Education, University of Nairobi & FL resource person
• Prof. Cally Ardington, Director of DataFirst, University of Cape Town (AFLEARN)

Panellists:

1. Hon. Conrad Sackey, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education & Chair of African Foundational Learning Ministerial Coalition, Sierra Leone (10 min)
2. Lindiwe Chide, Deputy Director, Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, Malawi (10 min)
3. Ndeye Aby Ndaw, Director, Elementary Education, Ministry of National Education, Senegal (10 min)

Part 2. Foundational Learning Initiative for Government-led Transformation (FLIGHT) philanthropic partnership announcement (30 min)

Speakers:

1. Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary, ADEA
2. Hon. Conrad Sackey, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education & Chair of African Foundational Learning Ministerial Coalition, Sierra Leone
3. Anders Holm, Executive Director, Hempel Foundation

Wrap-up: Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, Founder & CEO, HCA

Facilitator: Edwin Ikhuoria, GPE

Rapporteurs:

• Inyang Umoren, Project Manager, Tackling Education and Skills Data Challenge (ESDC) Initiative, ADEA
• Isaac Gyaase Yeboah, Technical Assistant – Qualitative Research Generation and Analysis, SHS/T-TEL Link
• Dr. Christine Harris-Van Keuren, Founder, SALT Analytics

Format: Presentations, panel discussion, Q&A, wrap-up

Part 1: Presentations

1. Opening Remarks: Hon. Dr. Haruna Iddrisu (MP), Minister of Education, Ghana: Why government-led financing is non-negotiable for sustainable education outcomes. The role of ministries of finance in safeguarding and aligning education budgets (10 min)
2. Keynote: Serigne Mbaye Thiam, GPE High Level Envoy: Toward sustainable financing pathways: Importance of domestic financing for education in Africa. Building political momentum for stronger financing architecture in Africa (10 min)
3. Presentation 1: Haogen Yao, UNICEF Education Economist: Education aid cuts for efficiency and equity insights (10 min)
4. Lightning talks: Incentivising domestic resource mobilization with partners (10 min)
   1. Maya Ziswiler, Roger Federer Foundation: Early years example from Southern Africa (5 min)
   2. Donika Dimovska, CKO, Jacobs Foundation: SCALE Partnership Example in Ghana (5 min)
5. Presentation 2: Jean-Claude Dabananiye, IIEP-UNESCO & Rohen d'Aiglepierre, AFD: Key insights from the 2025 Policy Paper and Seville Declaration (10 min)
6. Presentation 3: Muna Ngenda, Elimu Soko: Innovation under constraint: strategies to sustain quality education on tight budgets (10 min)
7. Lightning talk with Dr. Manos Antoninis, Director, GEM Report: The new continental education financing indicator and forthcoming AU LEARN policy dashboard (5 min)
8. Presentation 4 (virtual): Emily Gustaffsson-Wright, Center for Universal Education, Brookings Institution – An Urgent Call for More and Better Cost Data (5 min)

Break and networking (10 min)

Part 2: Panel and Wrap-Up

Ministerial Panel: Government strategies under fiscal stress (30 min)

Moderator: Raphaelle Martinez, Team Lead,​ Education Finance, GPE Secretariat

Panellists:

1. Prof. George K.T, Oduro, Technical Advisor to the Minister of Education, Ghana
2. Emmauel Allie, Director, Partnership, Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone
3. · Dr. Folake Olatunji-David, Director, Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria
4. · Koena Matjiu, Deputy Director, Department of Basic Education, South Africa
5. · Oumar Soumare, Directeur General de l’Enseignement au MERSE

Q&A (10 min)

Wrap-up and reference to Call to Action in plenary, on endorsement for domestic resource mobilization for education (5 min)

Part 1. Shared Progress, Shared Purpose: South–South Learning to Accelerate Foundational Learning

Moderator: Dr. Pia Rebello Britto, Global Director for Education and Adolescent Development, UNICEF

Rapporteurs:

• Prof. Hellen Inyega, Professor of Language and Literacy Education, University of Nairobi
• Dr. Mary Sichangi, Coordinator (ICQN-MSE) & Director (CEMASTEA)

Opening reflection: Judith Herbertson, Director, Education, Gender, and Equality, FCDO

Panel Dialogue – Shared Enablers of Progress:

1. Hon. Douglas Syakalima, Minister of Education, Zambia
2. Hon. Dr. Makgabo Reginah Mhaule, Deputy Minister of Basic Education, South Africa
3. Dr. Benjamin Piper, Lead, Global Education, Gates Foundation
4. Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, HCA
5. Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary, ADEA
6. Saurabh Chopra, Lead, Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives, Central Square Foundation (CSF)

Part 2. Growing community and political understanding and commitment for foundational learning (advocacy session)

Moderator: Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly, Executive Director, International Parliamentary Network for Education

Rapporteurs:

• Fayudatu Yakubu, Country Director, Lively Minds
• Jack Thunde, Research Associate, AFLEARN, University of Cape Town

Panellists:

1. Hon. Harry Kamboni, MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Technology in the National Assembly of Zambia
2. Awa Ka, Director of Programmes, Associates in Research and Development (ARED), Senegal
3. Dr. Lydia Wangui Chege, FLN Coalitions Manager, Zizi Afrique Foundation, Kenya
4. Zeinabou Tina Idé, Africa Activist Manager, ONE Campaign
5. Dr. Emmanuel Manyasa, Executive Director, Usawa Agenda

Q&A and wrap-up (20 min)

Part 1. Secondary education as the main platform to work: Pathways for Africa's youth (Mastercard Foundation, Lead Country: Sierra Leone)

Moderator: Elizabeth Nyarko-Patterson, Founder & CEO, Girls Education Initiative of Ghana (GEIG)

Rapporteur: Dr. Clara Araba Mills, IEPA, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Opening Remarks: James McIntyre, Director, Secondary Education & TVSD, Mastercard Foundation

Panellists:

1. Kimberley Kerr, Director, Strategy & Planning - Education & Transition, Mastercard Foundation
2. Edward Kpakra, Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Basic and Senior Education, Sierra Leone
3. Robin Todd, Executive Director, T-TEL
4. Dr. Pia Rebello Britto, Global Director for Education and Adolescent Development, UNICEF

Q&A and closing remarks: (10 min)

Part 2. Lessons Learned from the McGill-Mastercard Foundation Transitions Project with emphasis on innovative partnerships for TVSD, entrepreneurship, and employment creation (McGill-MCF)

Moderator: Dr. Bright Abreh, Associate Professor & Head of Grants and Consultancy, IEPA, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Rapporteur: Dr. Clara Araba Mills, IEPA, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Nii Addy, Associate Director (Africa Outreach) McGill University, Canada

Audience Q&A: (5 min)

Closing Remarks: Prof. Carola Weil, Dean of Continuing Studies, McGill University, Canada

Part 1. Data-driven transformation: evidence-based governance and digital innovation

Moderator: Sia Fasuluku, Acting Deputy Chief Technical and Higher Education Officer, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), Sierra Leone

Rapporteur: Abdoulaye Sall, Project manager, ICQN-HESR

Panellists:

1. Mamadou Diop, Coordinator of the Study, Planning and Monitoring and Evaluation Unit of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Senegal
2. Daniel Mwanga, Senior Data Scientist and Researcher, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC): Knowledge to solutions – strengthening university research for development in Africa: the case of Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria
3. Karime Tahiho, Data Analyst, Tackling Education and Skills Data Challenge (ESDC) Initiative, ADEA
4. Kibrome Haile, OBREAL Africa Project Manager, Ethiopia

Part 2. African excellence in action: innovations in research and strategic partnerships

Moderator: Dr. Pauline Essah, Chief Executive Officer, Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA), Ghana

Rapporteur: Dr. Ababacar Dieng, ICQN-HESR Coordinator

Panellists:

1. Prof. Malek Kochlef, Director General of International Cooperation, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Tunisia
2. Prof. Olufunke Fayehun, focal person of the Consortium for Advanced Research Training in Africa (CARTA); Université de Ibadan, Nigeria
3. Abdou Lahate Cissé, Administrative and Technical Coordinator of ANAQ-Sup, Senegal
4. Dr. Florah Karimi, Manager, Research and Related Capacity Building / Program Manager, APHRC
5. Wilfred Edem Dennis, Principal Research Officer, Science Granting Council Initiative SGCI Ghanaian Coordinator, Ministry of Higher Education, Ghana
6. Prof. Rada Tirvassen (online), Coordinator of the AI incubator for African youth, Mauritius

Part 1. Scaling what works: Government voices on experiences in evidence and action for foundational learning

Moderator & Introductory presentation: Dr. Sam Awuku, Country Engagement Lead, Learning Generation Initiative, Education Development Centre (EDC), and Education and Development Consultant (5 min)

Rapporteurs:

• Maimbolwa Namuchana, Strategic Education Advisor, VVOB
• Dr. Chifundo Kanjala, Senior Research Officer, AFLEARN, University of Cape Town

Panel discussion: Effective approaches, paths to scale and lessons learned (30 min)

Facilitator: Titus Syengo, Director, TaRL Africa

Panellists:

1. Dr. Langson Chibuye, Assistant Director, Primary Education, Ministry of Education, Zambia
2. Dr. Annet Kajura Mugisha, Commissioner, Teacher Education Training, and Development, Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda
3. Issoufi Arbert Toure, National Director of Basic Education, Ministry of Education, Mali
4. Martha Odundo, Director of Basic Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya

Q&A (15 min)

Wrap-up: Primrose Adjepong, Education Lead, J-PAL Africa

Part 2. Getting children ready for school

Rapporteurs:

• Dr. Linda Zuze, Senior Researcher, AFLEARN, University of Cape Town
• Prof. Cally Ardington, Director of DataFirst, University of Cape Town (AFLEARN)

Interactive energiser: ECE implementors (5 min)

Plenary:

1. Moses Abiero, African Early Childhood Network (AfECN): The current state and critical importance of ECE in Africa (10 min)
2. Quality ECE delivers proven impact – in-country showcase (35 min):
   1. Ghana: Robert Quansah, Sabre Education; Kwabena Gao, Right To Play; Fayudatu Yakubu, Lively Minds
   2. Zambia: Martha Konje, Roger Federer Foundation; Cleopatra Muma, Zambia Open Community Schools
3. Call to action: ECE Must Be Prioritised and Properly Funded (8 min):
   1. Hon. Douglas Syakalima, Minister of Education, Zambia
   2. Hon. Clement Abass Apaak, Deputy Minister of Education, Ghana

From data to accountability – building evidence-driven education systems

Facilitator: Dr. Hamidou Boukary, Senior Program Specialist, Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (GPE-KIX), International Development Research Center (IDRC)

Rapporteurs:

• Dr. Angela Affran, Inclusive education coordinator, T-TEL
• Karime Tahiho, Data Analyst, Tackling Education and Skills Data Challenge (ESDC) Initiative, ADEA

Opening remarks: Hon. Thomas Momo Parker, Assistant Minister, Planning, Research and Development, Liberia (5 min)

Part 1: Presentations

1. Fata Rouane, Education Program Specialist, UNESCO's Multisectoral Regional Office for West Africa in Dakar: Second Continental Report reviews Africa's progress in implementing CESA and achieving SDG 4 (10 min)
2. Dr. Makhube Ralenkoane, GPE KIX focal point, Ministry of Education, Lesotho: Strengthening EMIS across Africa education through peer review and knowledge exchange (GPE-KIX) (10 min)
3. Inyang Umoren, Project Manager – Education and Skills Data Challenge Project (ESDC), ADEA: The data quotient in African education transformation (10 min)

Q&A (10 min)

4. Deborah Kimathi, Education Workforce and Systems Delivery Lead, Learning Generation Initiative (LGI), Education Development Center (EDC): Importance of data as part of delivery approaches and our new toolkit that govts can use to guide delivery (10 min)
5. Christine Hoffman, Senior Regional Skills Specialist, ILO Regional Office for Africa, Cote d’Ivoire: Comprehensive data for TVET systems (10 min)
6. Prof. Carola Weil, Dean of Continuing Studies, McGill University, Canada: Towards Sustainable Education Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting across Africa (10 min)

Q&A (10 min)

Part 2: Panel and Wrap-up (30 min)

Objective: To explore how African countries are leveraging EMIS, real-time dashboards, and localized data to enhance planning, accountability, and learning outcomes — and how these innovations can be scaled and sustained.

Moderator: Seedy Ahmed Jallow, Systems Analyst, EMIS Unit, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, The Gambia

Panellists:

1. Daniel Mwanga, Senior Data Scientist and Researcher, African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
2. Dr. Cleophus Mugenyi, Commissioner, Basic Education from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda
3. Jariah Nabirye, District Education Officer, Mayuge District, Uganda
4. Oumar Soumaré, Director General of Education, Ministry of Education and Education System Reform, Mauritania
5. Joseph Wambua, Director, Quality Assurance and Standards, Ministry of Education, Kenya

Q&A and wrap-up (10 min)

Moderator: Chinedu Anarado, Communications Specialist, ADEA

Rapporteurs:

· Marian Nortey, Ministry of Education, Ghana

• El Hadji Mamadou Gningue, Coordinator of the Research, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Unit, Ministry of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training, Senegal

Part 1: Presentations (40 min)

1. Opening remarks: Hon. Dr. Clement Apaak, Deputy Minister of Education, Ghana (10 min)
2. Chantal Kabanda Dusabe, Technical Lead, VVOB, ACSL/VVOB: The African Center for School Leadership (ACSL) as a continental go-to hub for dissemination of best practices on school leadership in Africa (10 min)
3. Dr. Manos Antoninis, Director, GEM Report: Launch of the Spotlight continental GEM report overview and link with foundational learning (10 min)
4. Alfred Ampah-Mensah and Ama Serwah Nerquaye-Tetteh, IEPA-Ghana: spotlight on school leadership professional development in West Africa (10 min)

Part 2: Panel discussion of PD providers (40 min)

1. Prof. Rosemary Seiwah Bosu, IEPA: Coaching and mentoring of school leaders for curriculum implementation (including coaching by retired school leaders) in Ghana (in partnership with GES and T-TEL)
2. Yvonne M. Chuulu, Director of Secondary Education, Ministry of Education, Zambia: School Improvement Planning (SIP) in Zambia (in partnership with PEAS)
3. Andre Deloh, Director of Program Monitoring and Follow-up, Ministry of National Education and Literacy, Côte d’Ivoire: School Leadership in Ivory Coast (in partnership with GEMR)
4. Martin Kisilu, Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI): App-based, blended delivery of school leadership professional development in Kenya (in partnership with VVOB)

Q&A (30 min): Facilitated by Dr. Leila Abdullahi, Director of Research & Programme Delivery ESSA, ACSL/ESSA

Concluding Remarks: Prof. George KT Oduro, Technical Advisor, Ministry of Education, Ghana (10 min)

Experiences of Getting & Keeping All Children in School

Moderator: Catherine Asego, Senior Advocacy and Partnerships Officer, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)

Rapporteur: Arpana Pandey, Education Specialist, UNICEF WCARO

Panellists:

1. Context-setting: (15 min)
   1. Hendrina Chalwe Doroba, Division Manager, Education and Skills Development, African Development Bank: Perspectives from the bank (virtual) – A continental overview of OOSC and youth) (5 min)
   2. Dr. Roy William Mayega, GPE KIX Africa Regional Education System Resilience Observatory, School of Public Health, Makerere University: Education System Resilience – What does it mean for policy and practice? (10 min)
2. Gender Responsive Approaches: (30 min)
   1. Abdoul Aziz Ndao, Head, Gender Policy Studies, Planning, and M&E, Ministry of Health and Social Action, Senegal – “Schools for Husbands” programme (10 min)
   2. Dr. Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) – Innovations for transformation: FAWE’s second chance pathways for young women and men in marginalized communities - case of Uganda, Ethiopia, and Rwanda (2013-2023) – Scale up to 10 countries (2024-2030) (10 min).
   3. Lydie Shima, Laterite & MINEDUC Rwanda – Intersectional gender analysis of foundational education in Rwanda: evidence from a cross-sectional sample of 150 schools (10 min)
3. Inclusion: Disability and Special Needs: (15 min)
   1. Dr. Gideon Anapey, Learning Science Lead, Founder & Executive Director, Africa Dyslexia Organization (ADO), Ghana – Shifting minds, inspiring action: building awareness and systemic support for dyslexia and related learning disabilities in Africa
4. Education in Conflict & Refugee Contexts – Case study on education in conflict areas (Nigeria & Kenya)
   1. Suchith Abeyewickreme, Senior Technical Lead (Ethics Education), Arigatou International
   2. Mary Kangethe, Director - Education Programme, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO
   3. Prof. Salisu Shehu, Executive Secretary, The Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC), Ministry of Education, Nigeria
5. Climate-Responsive Practices: (15 min)
   1. Eduard Beukman, OXFAM International – Integrating climate resilience and education: case studies in South Sudan and the Sahel region (10 min)
   2. Collins Olang, Strategic Education Advisor, VVOB, Teaching for equity and sustainability: linking gender transformative pedagogy and green education

Summary of Innovations: Dr. Leslie Casely-Hayford, Director/Social Development Consultant, Associates for Change (AfC) (5 min)

Q&A and wrap-up: Catherine Asego, Senior Advocacy and Partnerships Officer, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) (30 min)

FAWE, African Union, Mastercard Foundation, Senegal, and Uganda

Moderator: Dr. Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)

Rapporteurs:

• Prof. Hellen Inyega, Professor of Language and Literacy Education, University of Nairobi
• Catherine Asego, Senior Advocacy and Partnerships Officer, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)

Framing the session and objectives (5 min)

1. Sophia Ashipala, Head, Education Division, ESTI, African Union, Commission

Life experience sharing, and what it means for Africa to have over 100 million learners out of school:

1. Haruna Asulibii Bariku & Mary-Emmaculate Yendor (youth representatives, Ghana) – Voices from the young people (5 min)
2. Dr. Moses Ngware, Senior Research Scientist and Head of the Education and Youth Empowerment research unit, APHRC (10 min)

Policy implications for the continent (30 min)

Policies and interventions to support OOSC and youth, and the impact so far: lessons from Sierra Leone and Niger.

Panellists: 

1. Hon. Conrad Sackey, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone.
2. Doreen Ankunda, Commissioner, Pre-Primary and Primary Education Standards, Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda

Key policy recommendations:

3. Prof. Peter Materu, Chief Program Officer, Mastercard Foundation – key policy recommendations

Q&A and wrap-up (15 min)

Announcement: AU-EU Partnership for Exchange on Education Reforms (PEERS) (10 min)

1. Sophie Salomon, Director of Human Capital and Social Development Department at Expertise France
2. Silvia Severi, Head of Cooperation (HoC) of EUD Ghana

Moderator: Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary, ADEA

Rapporteurs:

• Caren Namalenya, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Officer, ESSA Africa
• Marian Nortey, Administrative Officer, UNESCO National Commission, Ghana
• Kouame Aime, Programme Coordinator, ADEA

Opening Remarks: Sophia Ashipala, Head of Education Division, ESTI, African Union Commission (10 min)

Panellists (policy cases): (30 min)

1. Hon. Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu, Minister of State for Primary Education of Uganda: School leadership policy framework, Uganda
2. Prof. George KT Oduro, Technical Advisor, Ministry of Education, Ghana: National school leadership standards and/or Afrocentric leadership, Ghana
3. Moulay Ahmed Elkarimi, Director of Training and Skills Development, Ministry of National Education, Preschool Education, and Sports, Morocco

Q&A session:

1. Career pathways for teachers and school leaders: Dr. Dennis Sinyolo, Regional Director Africa, Education International (EI)
2. School Leadership continental standards and licensing: Saliou Sall, Senior Programme Coordinator, UNESCO IICBA
3. Gender barriers in school leadership: Dr. Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director, Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE)

Facilitated reflection: Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary, ADEA (10 min)

Broadening the financing landscape: innovative home-grown and private sector-led resource mobilization for education

Facilitator: Dr. Keiko Takei, Chief Education Analyst, African Development Bank

Rapporteurs:

• Chinwe Umeh-Ujubuonu, Senior Associate, Human Capital Africa (HCA)
• Martin Kungania, National Programme Coordinator – Directorate of Primary Education, State Department for Basic Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya

Part 1: Presentations and panel - Catalysing partnerships for the African Education Science Technology and Innovation Fund (AESTIF) (60 min)

Opening Remarks: H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, Commissioner, Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), African Union (10 min)

Keynote message: Thokozile Banda, Principal Secretary - Administration, Ministry of Education, Malawi (10 min)

Moderated Panel by Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary, ADEA: Investment approaches and operationalization of AESTIF – opportunities for governments and investors (30 min)

Panellists:

1. Hon. Haruna Iddrisu (MP), Minister of Education, Ghana
2. Hon. Prince Mooketsi Maele, Minister of Tertiary Education, Research, Science and Technology, Botswana
3. Hon. Douglas Syakalima, Minister of Education, Zambia
4. Hon. Mi Belabed Abdelhakim, Minister of National Education, Algeria
5. Franklin N. Mukuna, Deputy Director – Technical Education, State Department of TVET, Ministry of Education, Kenya
6. Hendrina Chalwe Doroba, Division Manager, Education and Skills Development, African Development Bank: Perspectives from the bank (virtual)

Q&A: Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary, ADEA (5 min)

Concluding remarks: Hendrina Chalwe Doroba, Division Manager, Education and Skills Development, Africa Development Bank: Perspectives from the bank (virtual) (5 min)

Part 2: Presentations and panel discussion – resource mobilization from the private sector: opportunities challenges, and enabling conditions (60 min)

Moderator: Arushi Terway, Theme Lead: Private Sector Approaches, NORRAG

Lightning presentations: (30 min)

1. Arushi Terway, Theme Lead: Private Sector Approaches, NORRAG: Framing private sector engagement in education financing
2. Christopher Burningham, Programme Manager, Education Outcomes Fund: Large Scale Outcomes Funds with Government and donor partnership
3. Ali Inam, Investment Director, Bridges Outcome Partnership: Impact bond experience (GEOP, SLEIC) and SDG Outcomes Fund
4. Donika Dimovska, Chief Knowledge Officer, Jacobs Foundation: Initiatives including Impact-Linked Fund for Education and SCALE
5. Edwin Lehoahoa, Country Director for South Africa, Chancen International: Income Share Agreements in Africa
6. Hajia Nana Fatima High, National Coordinator, Ghana Education Outcomes Project, Ministry of Education, Ghana (TBC)

Moderated Panel: Opportunities, enabling factors, risks, and alignment with national systems. (15 min)

1. Hajia Nana Fatima High, National Coordinator, GEOP (Government)
2. Richard Brandt, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Codetrain
3. Nozipho Ngwabi, Senior Project Manager: Research and Evaluation, Bertha Centre, University of Cape Town

Q&A and wrap-up (15 min)

Part 1. The role of leadership and coordination in advancing evidence-informed digital technology for education – the first pillar of the Common Framework for Digital Transformation in Education (20 min)

Objective 1: Explore Africa’s EdTech ecosystem through cross-country knowledge sharing on the six pillars of digital transformation—unpacking successes, gaps, challenges, and opportunities to scale what works and integrate promising innovations.

Moderator: Verna Lalbeharie, Executive Director EdTech Hub

Rapporteurs:

• El Hadji Mamadou Gningue, Coordinator of the Research, Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Unit, Ministry of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training, Senegal
• Kolawole Emmanuel Osundeyi, Assistant Director, Federal Ministry of Education, Niger

Panellists:

1. Rats’iu Majara, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lesotho
2. Diyawu Mumin, Director, CENDLOS, Ministry of Education, Ghana
3. John Gitabi Kimotho, Head of Africa Office, Spix Foundation: AUDA-NEPAD & RESPECT

Part 2. Hits and misses based on pillars 2&3 under the DTE framework (connectivity and infrastructure, cost and sustainability) (25 min)

Panellists:

1. Dr. Minu Ipe, Vice Chair and Managing Director, Arizona State University Design Institute
2. Christin McConnell, Chief of Education, UNICEF Ghana.
3. Yomi Arowosafe, Secretary, Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF)

Part 3. Insights on the successes and challenges in EdTech research coordination within the Ministry of Education and the various coordination methods employed by MoEs) (65 min)

Moderator: Nissi Madu, Co-Creation Hub

Interactive audience engagement with Menti (Lead, Randi Williams, Day of AI)

Wrap-up: Verna Lalbeharie, Executive Director EdTech Hub

Development of technical and vocational skills

Part 1. Driving youth employment: TVET at the heart of Africa's transformation (ACET)

Moderator: Mona Iddrisu, Head, Youth Employment and Skills, ACET

Rapporteur: Dr. Clara Araba Mills, IEPA, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Opening Remarks: Dr. Edward Brown, Senior Director, Research, Policy and Programs, ACET (5 min)

TVET Explainer Video (5 min)

High-Level Policy Discussion (40 min)

Panellists:

1. Azmera Kebede Abebe, Advisor to the State Minister, Ministry of Labor and Skills, Ethiopia
2. Affi Agbenyo, Deputy Director General (Operations), Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training (GTVET) Service, Ghana
3. Constance Swaniker, Founder & President, DTI, Ghana

4. Tsonam Cleanse Akpeloo, Regional Chair, Association of Ghana Industries (AGI)

Post-Event Survey & Closing Remarks: Mona Iddrisu, Head, Youth Employment and Skills, ACET (10 min)

Part 2. Planning for secondary education and TVET: Tools and approaches for the education-training-employment continuum (UNESCO-IIEP – Multi-country)

Moderator: Dr Bright Abreh, Associate Professor & Head of Grants and Consultancy, IEPA, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

Rapporteur: Nurudeen Lawal, Team Lead/ Founder, Quality Education Development Associates (QEDA), Nigeria

Keynote Speaker: Ibrahima Diallo, UNESCO-IIEP, Paris

Closing Remarks: Therrezinha Fernandes, UNESCO-IIEP, Paris

Part 3. Green skills, career pathways and employment for the green and blue economy in Africa (EDC Senegal)

Facilitator and Opening Remarks: Steve Kamanzi, Liberia Country Director, Education Development Center (EDC)

Rapporteur: Bakary Mouze Mogne, In charge of monitoring and evaluation of education policy and programs, Ministry of National Education, Comoros

Panellists:

1. Liberia: Representative of the Ministry of Education (TBC)
2. Pascaline Baradji, Director of Programs, Project de Formation Professionnelle et d’Insertion, EDC Senegal
3. Melanie Sany, Director - Youth, Workforce Development and Green Economies, Education Development Center (EDC)

Q&A for the three side events (20 min)

Closing Remarks: Melanie Sany, Director, Youth, Workforce Development and Green Economies

Empowering teachers for lasting change – governance and continuing professional development

Moderator: Lamin Ceesay, Director of Planning, Budget and Policy Analysis, Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology, The Gambia (TBC)

Rapporteurs:

• Dr. Angela Affran, Inclusive education coordinator, T-TEL
• Ndeye Yacine Fall, Monitoring and evaluation officer, Tackling Education and Skills Data Challenge (ESDC) Initiative, ADEA

Opening Remarks: Hon. Joseph Nsengimana, Minister of Education, Rwanda (5 min)

Part 1: Presentations (10 min each)

1. Emmanuel Chola Mumba, ICT Manager, Teaching Council of Zambia - Teacher Management Information System (TMIS) to support CPD and teacher tracking
2. Oswald Koussihouede, Head of Technical Cooperation at IIEP-UNESCO in Africa, UNESCO-Dakar: From ESA to education policy development. Strengthening Teacher Governance (Mauritania)
3. Amy Bellinger, Director, The Learning Generation Initiative, EDC: Education Workforce Planning

Q&A (10 min)

1. Charles Nweke, AlumUnite: Embedding data for decision‑making; decentralizing ownership and accountability; institutionalising CPD; aligning policy with clear implementation processes; leveraging AI/mobile platforms; and strengthening cross‑sector partnerships
2. Stephen Senyo Tettegah, Country Manager, The Luminos Fund (Ghana): Accelerated learning embedded in national systems (Ethiopia, Ghana, Liberia)
3. Mona Laroussi, Director, OIF-IFEF: InserJeune: Digital management tool for TVET systems

Q&A (10 min)

Part 2: Panel Discussion (30 min)

Moderator: Deborah Kimathi, Education Workforce and Systems Delivery Lead, Learning Generation Initiative, Education Development Center

Panellists:

1. Johannes Malebye, Deputy Director, EMIS, Department of Basic Education, South Africa
2. Ousmane Saine, System Administrator, EMIS Unit, Ministry of Basic Education, The Gambia
3. Sophia Alexandrina Kousiakis, DHIS2 for Education Project Manager, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo
4. Alex Gbeteglo, Head of the Division of Statistics, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education (GPE-KIX), Togo
5. Marian Abu, Director of Teacher Management, Teacher Service Commission (LGI), Sierra Leone
6. Lydie Shima, Program Manager, Laterite, Rwanda

Q&A and wrap-up (10 min)

Part 1. Enablers of progress: Data use and assessments to strengthen systems and drive learning (60 min)

Facilitator: Armando Ali, Chief Executive Officer, PAL Network

Rapporteurs:

• Jack Thunde, Research Associate, AFLEARN, University of Cape Town
• Catherine Elliston, Advocacy, Communications and Policy Engagement, WWHGE

Opening Remarks: Hon. Dr. Makgabo Reginah Mhaule, Deputy Minister for Basic Education, South Africa (5 min)

Technical panel: Continental perspectives on the journey towards fit-for-purpose, comparable and usable FL assessments (15 min)

Moderator: Clio Dintilhac, Senior Program Officer, Global Education, Gates Foundation (on AI and assessments)

Panellists:

1. Dr. Hilaire Hounkpodoté, Coordinator, Program for the Analysis of Educational Systems (PASEC) (on PASEC)
2. Dr. Manos Antoninis, Director, UNESCO GEMR (on CAF-data)
3. Prof. Cally Ardington, Director of DataFirst, University of Cape Town (AFLEARN) / Ephel Epha Ngota, Coordinator, National Assessment Centre, Kenya National Examinations Council (on benchmarks)
4. Joao Pedro, Chief Statistician & Deputy-Director, Data-Analytics Section, UNICEF

Fireside chat: Global and continental commitments to FL data, assessments, and evidence

Moderator: Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary, ADEA

Panellists:

1. Cheikh Beye, Inspector of Education and Training, Ministry of National Education, Senegal
2. Martha Odundo, Director of Education, Early Childhood Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya
3. Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, Director-General, Ghana Education Service

Closing remarks: Armando Ali, Chief Executive Officer, PAL Network

Part 2. Strengthening evidence systems and use: pathways to improving FL outcomes in Africa (60 min)

Global Launch of latest GEEAP-endorsed report - Global Evidence for Effective Reading Programs in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs)

Facilitator: Dr. Sam Awuku, ADEA Triennale Lead for Ghana, Ghana

Rapporteurs:

• Rachel Christina, Director, Education Development Centre (EDC)
• Dr. Linda Zuze, Principal Researcher, AFLEARN

Speakers:

1. Dr. Benjamin Piper, GEEAP member and Lead, Global Education, Gates Foundation.
2. Prof. Kwame Akyeampong, GEEAP member and Open University.
3. Country Rep, Nigeria (TBC)

Lightning talk: Evidence Around Foundational Learning (15 min)

Panellists:

1. Dr. John Mugo, Executive Director, Zizi Afrique Foundation
2. Armando Ali, Chief Executive Officer, PAL Network
3. Jennifer Opare-Kumi – Research Scientist, What Works Hub for Global Education (WWHGE)

Summary and closing remarks: Facilitator

Moderator: Mervi Hakoniemi, Knowledge Management Specialist, Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA) / Finnish National Agency for Education

Rapporteur: Marian Nortey, Snr. Administrative Officer, Ghana National Commission for UNESCO

Opening Remarks: Sophie Salomon, Director, Human Capital and Social Development Department (CHDS), Expertise France (5 min)

Hon. Dr. Houda Babah Sid M’hamed, Minister of Education and Reform of the Education System, Mauritania: Policy-level vision of solutions and innovation in CPD (5 min)

Presentation: Polycarp Otieno, Education Specialist, UNICEF, & Saliou Sall, Senior Program Coordinator, UNESCO IICBA: Joint insights from the UNICEF global teacher evaluation and UNESCO-IICBA’s study on CPD in Africa (15 min)

Panel discussion: Good practices and innovations in teacher preparation and CPD across Sub-Saharan Africa (55 min)

1. Thomoh Joseph Yong, Technical Advisor N°1, Cameroon: Integrating plurilingual approaches in pre-service teacher training
2. Dr. Leabah Brice Morwaker, Executive Director, Center of Excellence for Teacher Licensing and School Accreditation, Ministry of Education, Liberia: Career framework for teachers, pre-service and in-service education, and teacher well-being
3. Phaee Mariti, Chief Education Officer – Teaching Service, Ministry of Education and Training, Lesotho: Establishing a national teacher council and monitoring CPD
4. Bernard Kuug, Head of Research Unit, Ministry of Education, Ghana NTC: School-based professional learning communities: enhancing study and career guidance in Junior High Schools

Q&A: Sophie Salomon, Director, Human Capital and Social Development Department (CHDS), Expertise France (15 min)

World café session on Teacher Preparation & CPD (20 min)

Session opening: Mervi Hakoniemi, Knowledge Management Specialist, Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA) / Finnish National Agency for Education (5 min)

• Presentation of an Evidence Review on Teacher Professional Development (TPD) for Gender Transformative Pedagogy (GTP) in Africa, conducted in the framework of the Regional Teacher Initiative for Africa Direct Implementation Project (Collins Olang, Regional Strategic Education Advisor, VVOB)
• In-service teacher training workshops with mentoring; coaching; and formulating communities of practice, for a sustained approach to change – case of Sierra Leone and Liberia (Sara McGinty, Director, International Programs and Partnerships; Najmul Hossain, Program Manager, CODE)
• Pre-service vs. in-service teacher development: What makes a successful pre-service programme? How are they different from in-service programmes? (Daniel Fwanshishak, Head of English & School Education, British Council Nigeria; Dr. Iyabode Alli, Education Officer, Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria; Ebru Weston, Senior Adviser English & School Education Sub-Saharan Africa, British Council)
• Recruiting, training and placing Fellows in underserved communities (Folawe Omikunle, Regional Ambassador, Teach For All – supported by Ebenezer Akinwale, Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Teach for all-Nigeria)
• From policy to practice: Lessons from Ghana’s NGO partnerships with Government – towards scalable teacher development and quality ECE (Right to Play, Lively Minds and Innovations for Poverty Action – Ghana) (Hannah Young, Sabre Education)
• Collective leadership and CDP through peer mentoring, lesson planning and community projects, with a strong focus on rural schools (Luis Cahisso, Education Specialist, Humana people to people)

More insights on the studies presented in the introduction of the session (Polycarp Otieno, Education Specialist, UNICEF; Saliou Sall, Senior Program Coordinator, UNESCO IICBA)

Session wrap-up (5 min)

Building Africa's skills highway for the AfCFTA era

Moderator: Prof. Wail Benjelloun, former President of University Mohammed V, Rabat, Maroc

Rapporteur: Prof. Sylvie de Chacus, Technical adviser, Ministry of Higher Education

Panellists:

1. Dr. Wesley Teter, Senior Expert on Higher Education, UNESCO
2. Adama Traoré, Regional Office for Africa, International Labor Organisation
3. Sophia Ashipala, Head of Education Division, ESTI, African Union Commission
4. Prof. Mohamed Lemine Haless, Vice-President of the Addis Ababa Convention, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Mauritania
5. Prof. Lamine Gueye, University Cheikhoul Khadim, Touba, Senegal
6. Prof. Rose Dodd, Executive secretary, Collaborative Education

Rapporteurs:

• Martha Odundo, Director of Basic Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya
• Ezekiel Nonie, Director, Teacher Development and Performance, Teacher Service Commission, Sierra Leone
• Sylvain Mudahinyuka, Project Officer, ICQN on Teaching and Learning

Part 1. Advancing EdTech Research Coordination within Ministries of Education: Launch of the EdTech Research in Africa Initiative – Kenya, Senegal, Malawi (10 min)

Moderator: Hanna Simmons, Africa Lead, EdTech Hub

Presentation: What do we know? Findings from a rapid scan on EdTech research coordination in Africa (10 min)

1. Dr. Pauline Essa, Chief Executive Officer, Education, sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA)

Working Session with Menti – situated within the EdTech Research Coordination (with what has worked or what continues to be a challenge around the pillars of content and solutions, capacity and culture, connectivity and infrastructure, and cost and sustainability) (45 min)

1. Focus countries – Malawi, Kenya, Sierra Leone
2. Facilitators (EdTech Hub) – Hannah Simmons, Africa Lead; Genevieve Simiyu, Specialist; and Enoch Amu, Specialist.

Closing remarks: Dr. Pauline Essah, CEO, Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA).

Announcement: (10 min)

1. The African EdTech Research Impact project (Verna Lalbeharie, Executive Director, EdTech Hub / Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary, ADEA)

Part 2. Consultative Session on the Digital Skills Africa report: How to Empower a Growing Workforce for More and Better Jobs (55 min)

Theme: Advancing an inclusive, open, safe and secure digital future – building an ecosystem for digital skills

Moderator: Suraj Shah, Head, Strategic Partnerships and Thought Leadership, Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, Mastercard Foundation

Presentation: (15 min)

1. Ekua Nuam Bentil, Senior Education Specialist & Global Edtech Lead, Education & Skills, World Bank Group: report presentation highlighting key findings, data, and recommendations

Remarks: (5-8 min)

1. Halil Dundar, Practice Manager, Education & Skills, World Bank Group
2. Prof. Peter Materu, Chief Program Officer, Mastercard Foundation

Curated stakeholder feedback: (15 min)

1. Dr. Diyawu Mumin, Executive Director, CENDLOS, Ministry of Education, Ghana
2. Warihana Gumah, Software Engineer & Founder – Saafea Tech Hub (Youth Rep)
3. Emmanuel Gyan, Teacher, Accra High School (Young Educator)

Q&A & Next Steps – Moderator (20 min)

Wrap-up: Moderator