President Mnangagwa is set to open the third edition of the Africa Education Summit today in Victoria Falls, bringing together key stakeholders from across the continent to advance education. This premier event, dedicated to fostering educational progress, is organized by the Global Skills Hub United Kingdom (UK), Africa Education Stakeholders, and the Government of Zimbabwe.
The event follows a successful meeting at State House in Harare last year, where representatives from Global Skills Hub UK were granted approval to move forward with preparations for the summit. Under the theme, “Translating our Educational Advancement to Continental Development,” the summit will include plenary sessions, workshops, and panel discussions. Topics will range from foundational learning and climate change education to digital literacy, inclusive education, teacher professional development, infrastructure, and education financing.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Tererai Moyo emphasized the summit’s potential to drive educational and developmental progress across Africa. “We are honored to host this gathering of visionary leaders, educators, and advocates committed to transforming education on the continent,” said Minister Moyo. He highlighted that the summit follows the two previous editions held in Rwanda and the UK in 2023 and 2024.
Minister Moyo also noted that the Zimbabwean government, under President Mnangagwa’s leadership, fully supports the summit. “Beyond the summit’s outcomes, Zimbabwe stands to gain investment and tourism opportunities,” he added.
The summit aligns with the words of the late former South African President Nelson Mandela, who once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Minister Moyo affirmed that President Mnangagwa’s dedication to educational advancement underscores his vision for a prosperous future for Zimbabwe, with a strong emphasis on innovation and creativity.
The summit provides a critical platform for discussions on issues such as gender equality and equitable access to quality education. It also offers an opportunity to build partnerships aimed at tackling global educational challenges, ensuring that every child can thrive in a modern economy.
The first Africa Education Summit was held in Rwanda, and the second in Nottingham, UK, under the theme “Entrepreneurship and Skills Development in the 21st Century Education System: African-European Perspectives.” These summits highlighted the need for governments, civil society organizations, and international partners to prioritize investments in education infrastructure, teacher training, and support for marginalized groups. They also called for a shift in education systems to focus on a knowledge-based economy driven by technological advancements and creative, problem-solving curricula.
EduTimes Africa, a product of Education Times Africa, is a magazine publication that aims to lend its support to close the yawning gap in Africa's educational development.