ECA Engages Stakeholders on Changing Dynamics of Higher Education in Africa

Addis Ababa December 13/2024 (ENA)—The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) collaborated with stakeholders to examine the crucial role of higher education in promoting sustainable development in Africa at a forum on higher education in Africa, held from in Nairobi.

Dubbed:  "2024 UNESCO Forum on Higher Education in Africa: A Driver for Sustainable Development," the conference is part of celebrating the African Union's Year of Education 2024 under the auspices of UNESCO.

Educational experts, policymakers, members of the business and entrepreneurial communities, ICT and technology leaders, and educators participated in the event, sharing insights and strategies.

ECA hosted a parallel session titled “Rethinking Higher Education in Africa for a Sustainable Future,” focusing on the changing dynamics of higher education in Africa and highlighting the need for a demand-driven education system.

The Director of the Strategic Planning, Oversight, and Results Division (SPORD)-ECA, Said Adejumobi kicked off the session with a pre-recorded message advocating for educational reforms in Africa, including the development of relevant curricula, improved financial mechanisms, and enhanced academic freedom.

He stressed the importance of strategies to convert brain drain into brain gain and urged the continent to leverage its talented diaspora to support regional development and foster a more sustainable future in higher education.

Victor Konde, ECA’s Scientific Affairs Officer, discussed how African higher education could promote innovation through entrepreneurship policies, technology transfer, and knowledge production, emphasizing youth empowerment in STEM, sustainable funding, and aligning education and employment policies with global standards to enhance innovation ecosystems.