At a time when Africa remains at a crossroads in building an inclusive, equitable education system fit for the 21st century, Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania, will host a Continental Conference on Education, a major event chaired by the country’s president, who is the current chair of the African Union (AU).
The conference, organised in partnership with the AU Commission and UNICEF, will take place from December 9 to 11 and will bring together heads of state, policymakers, experts, as well as civil society and private sector actors around the ambitious theme: “Educating and Skilling Africa for the 21st Century.”
Although significant progress has been made in terms of access to education, the continent still faces persistent challenges. Today, Africa accounts for 90 percent of the world’s external financing needs for education by 2030. It is estimated that an additional $40 billion will be needed to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG4 on quality education, and the aspirations set out in the AU’s Agenda 2063.
Major obstacles, such as inadequate infrastructure, lack of qualified teachers, regional disparities, limited access to digital technologies, and the gap between education and employment, continue to hold back progress. In addition, the digital revolution and global economic changes mean that education systems need to be rethought to meet the needs of tomorrow’s jobs.
The main objectives of the conference are to assess the progress made by AU members in implementing international education commitments, such as SDG4 and the Continental Strategy for Education in Africa (CESA).
The event also aims to strengthen cooperation and sustainable financing, in particular through innovative mechanisms such as the African Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Fund (AESTIF).
The Nouakchott conference also aims to promote successful models and solutions for ensuring equitable and quality education.
It should also serve as a strong advocacy for youth, employability and intra-African professional mobility.
Finally, the meeting will be an opportunity to formulate strategic recommendations that will be set out in a roadmap for the next ten years.
The conference will take place in three phases. It will open with a high-level political dialogue where heads of state will discuss continental priorities.
This will be followed by an exchange among ministers, experts and key stakeholders on the necessary actions.
The closing session will summarise commitments and recommendations for accelerating the transformation of education.
Participants expect concrete progress, including a detailed update on members’ progress and a ten-year action plan to accelerate transformation. Increased financial commitments to scale up innovative initiatives will also be announced, along with greater mobilisation of development partners and the private sector.
Consensus is also expected on the need for a Pan-African Youth Employment Pact, including measures for job mobility.
With the expected participation of heads of state, education and finance ministers, experts and international partners, this conference aims to lay the foundations for a real transformation of African education systems. By promoting inclusive and resilient education adapted to the needs of the 21st century, Nouakchott could mark a decisive turning point in the quest for an educated and skilled Africa to face the challenges of the future.
AC/lb/as/APA