Speech by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission
Side Event Side Event on the further steps for implementation of recommendation of the Nouakchott Declaration.

Under the Theme : Sustainable Financing Mechanisms for Quality Education

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

16^th February 2025

Your Excellencies,
Distinguished Ministers,
Honoured Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a great honour and pleasure to join you all at side event Side Event on the further steps for implementation of recommendation of the Nouakchott Declaration, organized under the them Sustainable Financing Mechanisms for Quality Education and Skills Development.

This side event follows a very successful Continental Education Conference held in December 2024 and hosted by His Excellency President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, the government and people of Islamic Republic of Mauritania. I wish to once again extend my heartfelt gratitude for convening the education conference last year, whose outcome – The Nouakchott Declaration, is the subject of this side event.

Our continental development blueprint Agenda 2063 is clear on the commitment to speed up actions that will catalyze education and skills revolution, and actively promote Science, Technology, Research and Innovation, to build knowledge, human resources, capabilities and skills for the African century. The Second 10 Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063, notes Africa’s unwavering resolve to ensure that necessary conditions are in place to transform Africa’s demographic bulge into a demographic dividend that will drive the continent’s development agenda.

The transformative power of education in driving progress and prosperity especially for Africa is a key component of this ambition. It was with this recognition that the Year 2024 was dedicated to Education, with the determination to mobilize Governments and development partners to rethink the models of education and skill development needed for the Africa we want in the 21st century.

As part of this transformation, the new iterations of both the Continental Education Strategy 2026-2035 and the Continental TVET Strategy 2025-2034, have been developed. Implementation of these system-wide transformational strategies for education and skills development in Africa is expected to contribute to economic development, social equity, democratic governance and peaceful co-existence of our nations.

Despite the significant progress in access and the initiatives undertaken under Africa’s Year of Education 2024, you will all agree with me that the challenges before us are undeniable and still abound.

Africa faces significant challenges in financing education, including limited public budgets, high population growth, and competing development priorities. However, the constrained education financing landscape can be addressed through innovative and sustainable financing mechanisms to bridge the funding gap and support the achievement of our Continental Education objectives and the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) on quality education. We are confronted with a stark reality with millions of African children and youth still denied access to quality education and the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

The African Union’s Agenda 2063 envisions a continent where every child has access to education, where young people are empowered with the skills to drive innovation, and where no one is left behind. However, achieving this vision requires more than political will; it demands sustainable financing mechanisms that are innovative, inclusive, and resilient.

Africa’s education systems are underfunded, with many countries falling short of the recommended allocation of 20% of national budgets to education. While external support is invaluable, we must prioritize domestic resource mobilization. This requires strengthening tax systems, combating illicit financial flows, and fostering public-private partnerships to ensure that education remains a top priority in national budgets.

African governments must also leverage technology and partnerships. The 21st century jobs demand a new approach to education—one that embraces technology and fosters collaboration. Digital learning platforms, e-libraries, and virtual classrooms have the potential to revolutionize education delivery, especially in remote and underserved areas. However, this requires significant investment in infrastructure, teacher training, and digital literacy programs.

We must also strengthen partnerships with the private sector, international organizations, and civil society to pool resources, share expertise, and scale up successful initiatives. The African Union is committed to fostering these collaborations through implementation of the revised continental frameworks that seek to transform education and skills development in Africa.

Focus must also be on strengthening governance and accountability, ensuring transparent and accountable use of education funds to build trust among donors and stakeholders. African countries should consider results based financing models where funding is linked to measurable outcomes, such as improved literacy rates or school completion rates and ultimately employability.

Consequently, we must prioritize skills development for the Future of Work. The world of work is changing at an unprecedented pace, driven by automation, artificial intelligence, and the green economy. To remain competitive, Africa must prioritize skills development that aligns with the demands of the 21st century. This includes not only technical and vocational skills but also critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability.

We must invest in STEM education, entrepreneurship programs, and lifelong learning opportunities to equip our youth with the tools they need to succeed. Furthermore, we must ensure that girls and women have equal access to these opportunities, as their empowerment is essential for sustainable development.

This side event offers us the opportunity to reflect on how we can continue to drive Africa’s Education momentum for the next ten years.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

The challenges before us are immense, but so too are the opportunities. By working together, we can transform Africa’s education systems and unlock the potential of our greatest resource: our people.

As the world continues to rapidly evolve, bringing both unprecedented challenges and opportunities, our education and training systems must equip our youth with 21st-century skills to navigate global complexities.

Education challenges in Africa are also compounded by other crises, be they internal conflicts, environmental, economic, or health-related challenges that often disrupt learning for millions of children.

This side event challenges us to reflect on these imperatives and act decisively. Together, we must chart a future where education catalyzes Africa's development, as a cornerstone for achieving prosperity and peace across the continent.

Despite the challenges we face, there is also immense opportunity for Africa. The transformative power of education can propel the continent towards a future where Africa’s greatest asset, its people, are fully empowered to lead on the global stage. To realize this potential, we must act with urgency and ambition in addressing the challenges we face.

The African Union recognizes that the future we envision for our continent requires a robust and inclusive education and skills development frameworks that transforms societies.

Education must be our top investment priority. It is the foundation upon which economic growth, social cohesion, and innovation are built. Our call at this side event is for all African governments to increase domestic financing for education. We must also innovate, leverage partnerships with international organizations, the private sector, and philanthropic institutions to secure sustainable resources.

This will help assure the financial backbone for transformative initiatives in education and skills development, ensuring no African child’s or youth’s potential is limited by a lack of resources.

The Nouakchott Declaration must serve as a rallying call for increased investment in education and a collective pledge to eradicate learning poverty across our continent. As we propose declaring 2025-2034 the “Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development in Africa,” we must commit to and envision an Africa where education is fully funded, universally inclusive, and powered by the best technology the world has to offer. An Africa where every child can dream boldly and realize their potential without limitation.

Ladies and gentlemen, the time to act is now. We must be architects of this transformation. Together, let us educate and empower Africa for the 21st century and beyond. I look forward to our discussions and to the bold commitments that will emerge from this dialogue. Together, we can make quality education and skills development a reality for every African child and youth.

Thank you