Africa stands at a crossroads in its pursuit of educational transformation, with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4, ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education for all, serving as a guiding light. The latest data from UNESCO’s 2024 Scorecard paints a promising picture of progress yet highlights the significant work still needed to address disparities in access, quality, and outcomes.
In the past two decades, primary school enrolment across sub-Saharan Africa surged from 52% in 1990 to nearly 85% in 2019. This impressive growth is largely due to international support, national policies prioritising education, and initiatives such as the Education for All movement, which emphasised universal primary education.
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By 2024, nearly 85% of African countries had achieved gender parity in primary school enrolment. Girls’ education, particularly in West and East Africa, has seen significant advances due to community-based programmes and partnerships between governments and NGOs. However, disparities remain. According to UNESCO’s 2024 Scorecard, nearly 20 million children are still out of school across the continent, the majority living in conflict-affected areas or rural regions with limited infrastructure.
Several countries have made remarkable strides towards achieving SDG 4. Rwanda stands out with its 12-year basic education policy, ensuring free education for all children up to the age of 18, while Kenya has leveraged technology through its Digital Literacy Programme to improve access to learning, especially in remote areas. Ghana has made notable progress in closing the gender gap in education, with initiatives such as the Girls’ Education Unit increasing enrolment and retention rates among girls. Similarly, South Africa’s emphasis on inclusive education for children with disabilities has led to successful integration into mainstream schools.
Nigeria’s National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme has improved school attendance and retention by providing free meals to over nine million children. Uganda’s Universal Primary Education initiative has dramatically increased enrolment rates, particularly in rural areas, reaching 90% by 2022. Mali has made significant literacy gains through its Literacy and Basic Education Programme, focusing on adults, particularly women, in rural regions. These initiatives have collectively driven substantial progress in ensuring that all children, regardless of background or ability, have access to education.
Each of these countries has tailored its approach to local challenges, demonstrating that with political commitment, community engagement, and innovative strategies, significant progress is possible. While challenges remain, particularly regarding quality and infrastructure, these successes underscore that the African continent is on the right path to achieving universal education. By investing in transformative programmes, nations across Africa are breaking barriers and providing new opportunities for future generations.
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the global education landscape, and Africa was no exception. The rapid closure of schools in 2020 affected over 250 million learners across the continent, exacerbating pre-existing inequalities in access to quality education. The abrupt shift to remote learning left millions of children without access to digital devices or internet connectivity, making education particularly challenging in rural and underserved areas.
However, the crisis also spurred innovation. African countries turned to mobile learning platforms, radio broadcasts, and television programmes to deliver lessons, though these were largely temporary solutions. Long-term strategies are needed to ensure technology integration is equitable and effective. Investments in educational technology could play a crucial role in bridging the educational divide and ensuring no child is left behind.
Regional Disparities and Gender Inequality
Africa’s progress in education is not uniform. Countries in North Africa have made substantial progress towards achieving SDG 4, with near-universal primary school enrolment and high literacy rates. In contrast, sub-Saharan Africa continues to face persistent challenges, particularly in rural areas and conflict zones.
Gender inequality remains a significant barrier. While the gender gap in education has narrowed, girls in Africa are still more likely to be excluded from school due to cultural factors, early marriages, and safety concerns. According to UNESCO, girls in rural areas and conflict-affected countries are twice as likely to be out of school compared to boys. Addressing gender disparities is critical not only for the empowerment of women and girls but also for economic growth, as educated women contribute significantly to national development.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
A key area for Africa’s education system is Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). The continent’s rapidly growing young population requires skills-based education to meet labour market demands. Unfortunately, TVET systems across Africa are underdeveloped, underfunded, and often disconnected from economic needs. Many countries still lack sufficient infrastructure to provide technical education to their youth.
TVET programmes also struggle to deliver high-quality, relevant training aligned with local economies. For example, while agriculture remains a crucial sector for many African countries, vocational education in agricultural sciences is still insufficient. Efforts to improve and expand TVET programmes are underway, but greater investment is required to develop skills for the future workforce.
Financing Education
For Africa to meet its SDG 4 targets, substantial investments in education are required. According to the African Union’s 2018 policy framework, African countries should allocate at least 4–6% of GDP to education. However, many countries continue to fall short of this target. The funding gap is compounded by domestic resource mobilisation challenges, where education competes with other urgent needs such as healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
International support remains crucial. The World Bank and other global partners have played an essential role in financing education programmes in Africa, but funding must be directed towards building sustainable education systems resilient to crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Way Forward
To overcome these challenges, Africa must invest in technology-driven educational solutions, strengthen its teaching workforce, and prioritise learning outcomes in policy-making. Countries like Kenya and South Africa are already leading with ambitious plans to integrate digital tools in classrooms and universities, preparing students for the demands of the digital economy.
Collaboration between governments, civil society, and the private sector is essential to achieving SDG 4. Initiatives such as the Global Partnership for Education and the African Education Fund are already supporting education reforms, and more countries must align their national strategies with these global efforts.
Achieving SDG 4 in Africa is ambitious but attainable. With concerted efforts, innovative solutions, and increased investment, the continent can overcome barriers to education and ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive. As we look to 2030, it is clear that education is key to unlocking Africa’s potential, providing the foundation for sustainable development, economic growth, and societal well-being. Through inclusive policies, equitable access, and quality learning, Africa can break the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for generations to come.
