Forty-two African governments have pledged fresh funding and stronger policy commitments to tackle learning poverty across the continent. Their goal is to end the crisis by 2035 through foundational education reforms.
The commitment came at the close of the third Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX2026) in Lilongwe, Malawi. Ministers, permanent secretaries, and senior education officials agreed on a coordinated strategy to improve literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking among children.
New funding initiatives launched at summit
The Government of Malawi hosted the three-day summit in partnership with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). Participating countries committed to increasing domestic investment in foundational learning. They also agreed to align donor support with national education priorities.
A major outcome was the launch of the Foundational Learning Initiative for Government-Led Transformation (FLIGHT). This new philanthropic financing platform will mobilise US$35 million to support government-led education reforms across Africa.
The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) also announced an additional US$37 million in funding. Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe will benefit from this support. Meanwhile, the World Bank reaffirmed its commitment through the US$1.5 billion AIM4Learning programme. This forms part of its broader US$16 billion education portfolio across Africa.
ADEA chief stresses efficient use of resources
Executive Secretary of ADEA, Albert Nsengiyumva, spoke at the event. He said improving education outcomes requires more than just increased funding. He emphasised the need for more efficient use of available resources.
“Countries are going through very tough fiscal pressure, but it is not just about getting resources,” he said. “It is how we use those resources that matters.” He also stressed the importance of accountability and continuity in education reforms.
Six priority areas adopted for next decade
The participating governments adopted six priority areas to drive implementation over the next decade. These include strengthening political leadership and increasing financing for foundational learning. In addition, they will improve data and accountability systems and scale evidence-based teaching practices. Furthermore, they will enhance coordination among development partners. Finally, they committed to improving access to quality education for vulnerable and hard-to-reach children.
Success stories emerge across the continent
Delegates cited successful education reforms already underway in several countries. For instance, Tanzania’s MEWAKA coaching programme improved reading proficiency from 64 per cent in 2021 to 90 per cent in 2025. Similarly, Nigeria has expanded its Teaching at the Right Level initiative to approximately 12,000 schools. Likewise, Malawi’s BEFIT programme has reached nearly 890,000 pupils and trained about 17,900 teachers.
Focus shifts from commitments to implementation
Malawi’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Bright Msaka, said the focus must now shift from commitments to implementation. He noted that African governments were determined to return home and execute agreed reforms. These reforms would improve learning outcomes, he added.
Participants also heard directly from pupils of Nkwiji Primary School in Malawi. They appealed for better learning materials in local languages. They also requested qualified teachers, climate-resilient schools, and inclusive education for children with disabilities.
Across much of Africa, nine in every 10 children aged 10 years cannot read a simple sentence. They also cannot perform basic mathematics with understanding. Experts warn this could undermine future productivity and economic development if left unaddressed.
The next edition of FLEX will take place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in 2028. Governments are expected to report progress on the commitments they made in Malawi.
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