AU-IPED Hosts Continental Dialogue on Strengthening Education Data Systems through Responsive EMIS Policies
AU-IPED Hosts Continental Dialogue on Strengthening Education Data Systems through Responsive EMIS Policies
The African Union Commission, through its Pan African Institute for Education for Development (AU-IPED), convened the 2nd KIX Knowledge Café on Education Data Systems, on 22 July 2025, to advance dialogue on strengthening Education Management Information Systems (EMIS) across the continent. Held virtually, the session brought together education policymakers, EMIS experts, and development partners from over 15 African countries.
The event focused on the development of responsive national EMIS policies as a cornerstone for effective education planning and service delivery. It forms part of AU-IPED’s leadership of the “Meeting the Data Challenge” thematic area under the KIX Africa 19 Hub, a regional platform supported by the Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX), a joint initiative of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC).
In his opening remarks, Mr. Noubatour Adoumtar, Head of AU-IPED, reaffirmed the African Union’s commitment to supporting Member States in enhancing education data systems, aligned with the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA 26–35) and Agenda 2063. “Reliable, timely, and actionable data is at the heart of effective education policy. As the institution mandated to lead the education data agenda in Africa, AU-IPED is committed to supporting countries in building responsive, sustainable EMIS frameworks,” he stated.
The session featured national EMIS leads and directors from South Sudan, Nigeria, Mozambique, and The Gambia, alongside insights from Zizi Afrique, a KIX grantee. Presenters shared country-led experiences in digital transformation, policy formulation, and the use of open-source tools to improve EMIS performance.
Key challenges identified included:
- Shortage of qualified EMIS personnel at multiple levels
- Infrastructure and connectivity gaps in remote regions
- Limited use of data in policymaking
- Lack of system interoperability
- Unsustainable financing for EMIS development and maintenance
Recommendations emerging from the dialogue included:
- Recruiting and training EMIS personnel at school, sub-national, and national levels
- Investing in digital infrastructure, including devices, solar power, and internet access
- Piloting and scaling digital platforms like DHIS2 and SOFIA for improved data access and visualization
- Developing and regularly updating national EMIS policies
- Promoting cross-country collaboration and peer learning to share innovations and good practices
The Knowledge Café continues to serve as a vital platform for African education stakeholders to exchange knowledge, share lessons, and collectively advance the continent’s education data systems.
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