The African Union Commission's Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) convened an official handover ceremony formalizing the transfer of responsibilities to H.E. Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, who assumed office as Commissioner for ESTI earlier this month. The ceremony took place at the AU Headquarters, with the handover document encompassing the department's activities and achievements from January 2022 through September 2025.

This ceremony concludes the change of leadership that began in March 2025 when H.E. Prof. Mohammed Belhocine completed his term as Commissioner for ESTI, having served from January 2022. H.E. Ambassador Amma A. Twum-Amoah—who was elected as Commissioner for Health, Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development in February 2025—assumed the role of Acting Commissioner for the department. The ESTI Department expresses deep gratitude to Ambassador Twum-Amoah for her dedicated leadership in sustaining the momentum of the department's continental programmes during her tenure as Acting ESTI Commissioner. Prof. Banyankimbona, from the Republic of Burundi, was elected ESTI Commissioner during the 47th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council in July 2025.

The incoming Commissioner brings over two decades of transformative experience in education policy and regional integration. As a distinguished academic, Prof. Banyankimbona previously served as the Executive Secretary of the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), an Institution of the East African Community, from April 2021, where he led the implementation of the East African Common Higher Education Area and coordinated major donor-funded initiatives. He holds a PhD in Sciences from KU Leuven in Belgium and remains an Associate Professor at the University of Burundi, with previous experience as Minister of National Education and Scientific Research in Burundi and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Burundi. He is fluent in English, French, Kiswahili and Kirundi.

The past two years, the ESTI Department achieved significant milestones. Three major continental strategies: the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 2026-2035), the Science, Technology and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2025-2034), and the Continental Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET 2025-2034) have been drafted, approved and successfully launched earlier this month. The AU Decade of Education 2025-2034 was also formally established, marking a sustained commitment to advancing educational priorities across the continent.

As he takes over the mantle of leadership at the ESTI Department, Prof. Banyankimbona has expressed his commitment to advancing the implementation of the department's key continental strategies and propelling the AU Decade of Education 2025-2034. His vision aligns with Agenda 2063's aspiration of building a knowledge-based, integrated and globally competitive Africa, where education, science and innovation serve as engines of sustainable development, youth empowerment and continental prosperity.

For further information, please contact:

1. Ms Claudette Chancelle BILAMPASSI MOUTSATSI | ESTI Department- Pan African University | African Union Commission | E-mail: BilampassiC@africanunion.org  | Tel: +251 11 518 2014/ +251 11 5182518 |
2. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africanunion.org