For children and families in underserved communities, education changes everything. Health, Dignity, Girls & Women Empowered, National Development
Every child deserves the same opportunity. Yet 98 million children across Africa live without the basic education they need for life long success.
That’s nearly 1 in 3 primary-age children, or about the same as the entire populations of Kenya and South Africa combined. Girls often face even greater challenges – from early marriage to cultural norms that deny them the right to learn.
But access to education means better health, higher incomes, gender equality, stronger communities, and lasting economic groth.
Because when you educate a child, you don’t just change their future, you change the future of their family, their community, and their country.
Education Changes Everything
When you give a child access to education, you can uplift 171 million people out of poverty. Every year of schooling can increase a child’s future earnings by up to 10%, giving families the tools to escape poverty.
Lack of education expose children to lower health literacy and higher vulnerability to diseases. Education helps children understand hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. Literate parents are more likely to seek medical care and adopt healthy behaviours, reducing childhood illness and mortality
23% of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa are out of primary school, compared to 19% of boys. Educating girls reduces child mortality by up to 49%, delays early marriage, increases participation in the workforce, and empowers women to make decisions for themselves and their families
Children who learn become adults who lead. A more educated population can raise a country’s GDP by up to 18%. Education strengthens communities by creating informed citizens, engaged parents, and active leaders, fueling long-term development and opportunity for all.
Education Changes Everything
When you give a child access to education, you can uplift 171 million people out of poverty. Every year of schooling can increase a child’s future earnings by up to 10%, giving families the tools to escape poverty.
23% of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa are out of primary school, compared to 19% of boys. Educating girls reduces child mortality by up to 49%, delays early marriage, increases participation in the workforce, and empowers women to make decisions for themselves and their families
Lack of education expose children to lower health literacy and higher vulnerability to diseases. Education helps children understand hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention. Literate parents are more likely to seek medical care and adopt healthy behaviours, reducing childhood illness and mortality
Children who learn become adults who lead. A more educated population can raise a country’s GDP by up to 18%. Education strengthens communities by creating informed citizens, engaged parents, and active leaders, fueling long-term development and opportunity for all.
How do we tackle the education crisis?
We work with communities, governments, and the private sector to transform education in underserved regions. In each community, we provide tech-enabled learning centers, trained local teachers, scholarships, skills development, health and psychosocial care, so every child can thrive. Through sustained advocacy and community ownership, we embed inclusive, holistic, high-quality education into public systems, preparing young learners for academic success, lifelong growth, and meaningful contributions to their communities.
Quality Education changed the lives of Alfred, Jennifer and Mary, and transformed a 100 year old community
Every $1 invested in quality education yields up to $10 to $15 in economic returns UNESCO+1. It’s one of the smartest investments we can make – education fuels productivity, drives innovation, reduces poverty, and unlocks the potential of entire communities for generations. It is perhaps the most impactful, long-term investment humanity can make.
Education Cannot Wait
In Sub-Saharan Africa, 98 million children are out of school. Among those enrolled, 3 in 4 second graders cannot count beyond 80, and nearly 9 in 10 ten-year-olds cannot read and understand a simple text.
The continent faces a shortage of 15 million teachers and 9 million classrooms, even as Africa’s child population is set to reach 1 billion by 2050. Without urgent action, an entire generation risks being left behind. But with access to quality education – skilled teachers, safe classrooms, and the right support – children can learn, break the cycle of poverty, and drive Africa’s future growth.
Out of school in Sub-Saharan Africa
– 2022 UNESCO
In second grade cannot count beyond the number 80
– 2018, WORLD BANK
Aged 10 years unable to read and understand a simple text
– 2022 WORLD BANK
Are needed to achieve universal primary and secondary education by 2030
– 2022, UNESCO
By 2050, to address the education challenge for children and adolescents
– 2022, UNESCO
Aged 0-18 years in Africa by 2025
– 2021, UNICEF
Why This Matters
Until every child has access to quality education
Remarkable ROI
UNESCO confirms that investing in education yields a return of ten to fifteen times the original amount, underscoring its incredible efficiency
Poverty Reduction
According to UNESCO, basic reading skills for all students in low-income countries could lift 171 million people out of poverty
Higher Incomes
The World Bank reports that each additional year of schooling translates into approximately a 10% increase in individual earningsa
Accelerated Growth
UNESCO statistics show that education has contributed to a 40% reduction in extreme poverty since 1980, and that each dollar spent on education can generate up to $15 in growth as part of broader national development
School is just the start
When children get the chance to learn, they start to see a world beyond their street or neighborhood. They discover new ideas, dream about careers they’ve never heard of before, and believe they can make their dreams real and transform their communities.
Watch this video to meet some of our incredible young leaders who are transforming their
communities and changing the narrative for future generations across Africa.
Access to quality education gives children the tools to learn, grow, and thrive so they can read, count, and explore their potential. Education empowers young learners, builds stronger communities, and opens the door to a brighter future for families and societies across Africa
Stories of Impact
