AGP Executive Report

UN Map Push: The UN General Assembly backed an Africa-led move to encourage schools and governments to use more accurate “Equal Earth” world maps, with 164 votes for and the US voting against—aiming to correct how Africa’s size is visually minimized. Ghana Education Finance: Eduwatch says Ghana needs an extra GH¢45bn to meet SDG 4 by 2030, warning that underfunding is driving shortages of teachers, materials, and even schools operating in sheds. Free SHS Debate: Eduwatch and critics argue Ghana’s Free SHS policy should remove qualification barriers so JHS graduates transition smoothly, after BECE placement gaps left thousands out. Nigeria Credential Crackdown: Nigeria’s FG plans to link education records with NYSC to curb fake certificates and strengthen digital verification. Kenya Deaf Tech: A Kenyan start-up is trialling robotic arms that translate teachers’ voices into sign language in real time, building a growing database of technical signs. Liberia Teacher Regulation: Liberia prepares to host the 2027 AFTRA conference, with a focus on professionalizing teachers and closing qualification gaps. Zimbabwe Matric Rescue: Displaced Zimbabwean Grade 12 pupils in South Africa are being brought back to write matric after immigration disruptions. South Africa School Governance: South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal upheld Western Cape’s “collaboration school” model, allowing donor-funded public schools with private-sector expertise. HIV Prevention Scale-Up: South Africa is expanding access to twice-yearly Lenacapavir injections, aiming to scale up ahead of cheaper generics in 2027.

Digital Credentials: Nigeria has fully automated academic certificate evaluation and authentication, letting applicants complete verification online instead of visiting the education ministry. Skills Pipeline: The World Bank warns South Africa’s digital-skills training system isn’t meeting employer demand, citing shortages in software, network engineering and cybersecurity. Education Expansion: Advtech says it plans to expand Kenya’s Makini School into two to three new East African markets and is also scouting for opportunities in Kenya’s higher education. School Access Debate (Ghana): Ghana’s Alagumgube Association backs calls to remove barriers that block JHS graduates from moving straight into secondary school, arguing progression should be based on learning, not placement rules. Learning and Inclusion (South Africa): South Africa’s crime figures show declines in some serious crimes, but experts caution the problem isn’t solved—an issue that still affects safe schooling and youth wellbeing. Policy and Governance (Elections): Nigeria’s INEC and security agencies in Nasarawa vow to enforce campaign rules ahead of 2027 elections, stressing hate speech and violence will not be tolerated. Student Life and Sports: Uganda’s Busitema University is sending athletes to the FASU Games in Cairo, aiming to boost medals and broaden university education beyond academics.

Digital Skills & Connectivity (Liberia): CSquared moved its Ganta broadband and digital education programme from a grant-funded pilot to a commercially operated service, rolling out community Wi‑Fi and a 20-seat learning lab at J.W. Pearson Public School, training 1,200+ students with Microsoft support. STEM Funding (South Africa): RS South Africa named 13 university winners for its 2026 Student Project Fund, giving R10,000 in RS products each to build prototypes across renewable energy, robotics, healthcare tech, logistics automation and STEM education. Education Access Support (Nigeria—Jigawa): AGILE began distributing ATM cards to 33,696 adolescent pupils in Jigawa under a conditional cash transfer scheme, using NIN verification so learners can buy school essentials like uniforms, bags and books. School Governance (South Africa—Western Cape): The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed challenges to collaboration schools and donor-funded public schools, upholding the legal framework for school governance and evaluation authority. Learning & Environment (Ghana): Six Greater Accra SHSs launched a pilot clean-air and waste segregation project to curb open burning and teach practical waste-sorting habits for students. Policy & Safety (South Africa): SAPS body-camera rollout is nearing procurement publication after funding and technical refinement steps, aiming to improve policing accountability. Climate Risk (Africa): El Niño is strengthening, with warnings to prepare for drought, heat, flooding and knock-on effects for food security, water and public health.

UN Map Push: The UN General Assembly backed Togo’s “Correct the Map” resolution, urging schools and tech firms to consider equal-area projections like Equal Earth so Africa isn’t visually distorted; six countries abstained. Education & Inclusion: In Abia, Nigeria, PWDs praised TAF Africa’s voter education drive for clarifying electoral rights and assisted voting ahead of 2027. TVET Modernisation: Ethiopia is validating revised TVET digital curricula with support from Korea and UNESCO, aiming to align learning materials with labour-market needs and the country’s digital push. Health Access (Vision): Togo’s eye-health snapshot from Lapaire’s Vision Health Index reports large shares of presbyopia and myopia, with a gap between those needing and receiving vision correction. School Safety & Access: Ghana warned parents about social-media fraudsters promising BECE result changes or SHS placement help, urging use of official channels. Climate Risk: South Africa was cautioned to prepare for El Niño-linked hotter, drier conditions and possible rainfall shortfalls. Student Outcomes (Higher Ed): Multiple reports highlight uneven six-year bachelor completion rates for Black students across institutions, underscoring persistent gaps.

School Safety & Tragedy: Cape Verde mourns after a bus crash on Fogo Island killed at least 25 schoolchildren and teenagers, with the driver among the dead. Basic Education Calendar: Ghana’s basic schools are set to re-open Tuesday, Sept 8, 2026, with term dates and BECE scheduled for May 2027. AI in Classrooms: South Africa faces a fast AI reality—many children and teachers are already using AI for schoolwork without safeguards, raising inequality and governance concerns. Maternal Health: A new report warns maternal deaths are still high across Africa, with delays in care and weak facility readiness keeping progress from fully taking off. UN Maps & Learning Materials: The UN backed “Correct the Map,” pushing equal-area world maps that better reflect Africa’s size—an issue that could reshape textbooks, digital maps, and classroom teaching. Youth & Skills: Coverage also flags Africa’s AI productivity push as needing a talent-pipeline strategy so automation doesn’t undercut entry-level jobs. Malawi Education & Health Expansion: Malawi signed up for 450 new schools and clinics, aiming to expand access while mining growth raises hopes and risks.

Human Trafficking Prevention Through Fashion: Next2None Support Initiative and Nigeria’s NAPTIP signed an MoU to launch “Threads of Resilience: Fashion for Freedom,” billed as Africa’s first international fashion-for-social-impact campaign to empower youth and support survivors. Digital Skills for Jobs: Somalia’s Bile Initiative 2026, run by Tabaarak ICT Solutions with SomaliREN and Hormuud Salaam Foundation, is training final-year ICT students in software development, AI, cloud and analysis to better match labour-market needs. ICT Training Expansion: Somalia’s push is part of a wider regional effort to make university education more practical and employment-ready. UN Map Reform: Togo, backed by the African Union, won UN General Assembly support for “Correct the Map,” urging schools and tech firms to use more accurate equal-area projections that better reflect Africa’s true size. Education Safety Tragedy: Cape Verde marked two days of mourning after a bus crash on Fogo Island killed at least 25, including many pupils and teenagers, with an inquiry promised. School Placement Pressure (Gauteng): South Africa’s Gauteng Education Department received 805,000+ applications for Grade 1 and 8 for 2027, shifting now to document verification before placements.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed Togo-led “Correct the Map” resolution to move away from the Mercator projection and encourage use of the Equal Earth map, making Africa appear much larger; the vote was 164–1 (with the US opposing) and the change is expected to influence school geography materials and digital platforms. Education Access: Malawi’s Elida Chithumba, 18, begins university at the University of Malawi with support from the McConnell International Foundation’s “Keep Girls in School” scholarship, aiming for a maths teaching degree. University Admissions: Ghana’s University of Ghana urged WASSCE 2026 candidates to re-check names, dates of birth, and exam details on its applications portal; the portal closes Sept 8. Learning Infrastructure: Nigeria’s education minister says off-grid solar mini-grids under the Energising Education Programme are helping universities cut outages and energy costs. Youth & Skills: Kenya’s youth migration debate is reframed around legal mobility and skills strategy, while Huawei’s Women in Tech programme trains women business owners on AI and digital tools. Student Wellbeing: South Africa’s gambling harm figures show rising calls, including among students, as online betting expands.

Debt & Reparations Youth Push: At a Youth Forum on Debt and Reparations in Accra, Kwesi Pratt Jnr and PPF’s Humphrey Abbey Quaye urged African young people to reject externally driven narratives and demand debt cancellation and reparations as justice, not charity, linking today’s debt to slavery, colonial exploitation and ongoing neocolonial control. Sovereignty vs Foreign Security Deals: Pratt also questioned how African governments can condemn European exploitation while signing defence and intelligence cooperation that could deepen foreign military involvement, arguing Sahel instability needs African-led focus. UN Map Reform for Education: The UN General Assembly backed a move to use the Equal Earth projection to show Africa’s true relative size, with 164 votes in favour and the US voting against; the resolution is non-binding but targets schools and public information. Data Centres Under Fire: South African civil rights groups want a pause on new data centres over concerns about water, land and electricity use, citing limited transparency as the country positions itself as a data hub. Trade Support for Businesses: Nigeria launched sensitisation workshops to help firms tap ECOWAS and AfCFTA opportunities under the ETLS, starting in the North-East.

Global Education & Representation: The UN General Assembly backed the African Union-led “Correct the Map” resolution, voting 164–1 (with the US opposing) to encourage schools, governments and tech firms to use more accurate equal-area projections like Equal Earth instead of the Mercator map that makes Africa look far smaller; Togo’s foreign minister Robert Dussey said maps shape education and perceptions, and the AU called it a step toward fairer global representation. Assessment & Exams (Ghana): WAEC reported WASSCE 2026 entry rose to 512,862 candidates (+11.07%); Social Studies led with 78.04% scoring A1–C6, but English Language fell to 62.40%—and WAEC cancelled results of 8,295 candidates over irregularities (unauthorised materials or phones). Women’s Health (South Africa): A policy push argues SRHR must move from rhetoric to properly financed, measurable services, warning that financing gaps—not just laws—are blocking progress. Anti-Corruption (South Africa): The Asset Forfeiture Unit recovered R519m in corruption-linked assets, with calls to prosecute those enabling graft.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly voted to move away from Mercator maps toward the Equal Earth projection, backed by 164 countries, to show Africa’s true scale in schools and public materials. Food Systems & Soil Health: At the Africa Food Systems Forum in Kigali, private-sector players urged more investment in soil management, better fertiliser use, and reforms to fertiliser subsidies, warning that degraded soils threaten yields. Science & Learning: South Africa’s MeerKAT telescope directly detected faint neutral hydrogen signals across cosmic distances, a step toward using hydrogen to map the universe’s large-scale structure. Education Equity (US data): New Michigan school enrollment snapshots show persistent racial gaps and shifting demographics, including Fordline Elementary (48 African American students, 15.6%) and Harper Woods High School (African American students 97.4%). Higher Education Outcomes (US data): Completion rates vary sharply by race and county, with examples like Lyon County’s Black bachelor’s completion at 21.2% (2018 cohort, by 2024).

School Safety Alarm: South Africa’s schools are increasingly reflecting the violence around them, with reports of widespread learner and teacher assaults and a shift toward more severe attacks. Curriculum & History: Ghana’s VP Jane Opoku-Agyemang urges more accurate teaching of the transatlantic slave trade, stressing African agency and links to reparatory justice. Exam Integrity: Nigeria’s schools and parents question unexpectedly low 2026 WASSCE results after the computer-based shift; WAEC says marking and moderation remain credible. Gauteng Leadership Continuity: Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi appoints Education MEC Lebogang Maile as acting premier during sick leave. Back-to-School Support: Ghana’s Joy FM Back-to-School Fair opens with discounts on devices and school supplies to ease costs for families. Tech & Learning: XJTLU welcomes 1,436 international students from 93 countries, with induction support covering visas, safety, and wellbeing. TVET Jobs Pipeline: Hyundai and KOICA launch auto-repair training centres in Ghana, aiming to build local maintenance talent and employment. Digital Finance Push: Nigeria is urged to lead Africa in digital finance and tokenised assets, focusing on home-grown systems and trust-building regulation. Road Safety Policy: South Africa considers a stricter zero blood-alcohol limit as drunk-driving arrests and road deaths remain high.

Basic Education Calendar Update (Ghana): Ghana’s Education Service says basic schools will reopen on September 8 for the 2026/27 year, with term dates, breaks and BECE set out in the new academic calendar. Teacher Appointments & Fraud Alerts (South Africa): The Western Cape Education Department warns educators about a WhatsApp scam demanding about R2,800 for fake permanent teaching posts, after reports of impersonation of officials and principals. Dementia as a Public Health Priority (Nigeria): Nigeria hosted the Dementia Africa Conference 2026, launching a 10-year initiative and a Vision 2036 strategy to tackle dementia stigma and care gaps. Energy Transition Skills (Ghana): An AFREIKH summer school in Accra stresses that Africa’s energy transition is as much a human-capability challenge as an infrastructure one. Youth Sports Pathway (Ghana): Accra’s Ace National Junior Tennis Camp 2026 ends, promoting a safer, holistic talent pathway with coaching, conditioning and safeguarding. Security & Schooling Risk (Nigeria): Reporting highlights how kidnappings and insecurity are making it dangerous to go to school, deepening Nigeria’s education and protection crisis. Child Online Safety (UNICEF): UNICEF warns that up to 20 million children face online sexual abuse or exploitation each year, with many cases underreported.

School Safety Crackdown (Gauteng): Gauteng Education MEC Lebogang Maile and police found 123 prohibited items at six schools, including 43 disposable vapes, knives, scissors and “oil spice,” as authorities push safer learning environments. Digital Humanism in Education (Ghana): Ghana hosts the 2nd African Digital Humanism Summer School in Accra, bringing researchers and students to shape AI that serves people and protects digital sovereignty. STEM Learning Shift (South Africa): With maths and science under pressure despite strong matric results, TikTok’s STEM content is gaining traction as a new way to make subjects feel less intimidating. AI Governance for Africa: A China-signed WAICO framework aims to boost global AI cooperation, but highlights Africa’s underrepresentation in AI markets and workforce. Higher Education Funding Gap (South Africa): Postgraduate students face a widening squeeze as NRF research funding lags far behind NSFAS undergraduate support, prompting a new bursary toolkit for funders. Health Tech Milestone (Kenya): Aga Khan University Hospital in Nairobi performed East Africa’s first robotic-assisted gallbladder surgery, expanding access to advanced minimally invasive care. Child Protection & Abuse Concerns: North West education authorities condemned a viral incident of alleged learner abuse of a teacher, stressing disciplinary processes and respect in schools. Ebola Watch (DRC): Schools have reopened in Congo’s Ebola epicentre amid ongoing fears, as the outbreak is monitored across the region.

AI Startup Funding: Askya Investment Partners launches a six-week accelerator for African AI startups, offering up to $200,000 per company with no equity and support across capital, cloud, customers, talent, and product governance. Climate Risk to Learning: UNICEF warns that over 162 million children in eastern and southern Africa face escalating El Niño impacts—threatening nutrition, health, safety, and schooling across countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Health-Education Link: Nasarawa State (Nigeria) plans a medical school, specialist hospital and trauma centre, aiming to expand access to care and improve retention of medical personnel. Education Tech & Diplomacy: Zetech University rolls out new Master’s and PhD programmes in International Relations and Diplomacy focused on technology, cybersecurity, AI and climate change. School Safety & Abuse: Reports highlight the urgent need to protect children from abuse and violence, including cases of forced circumcision and attacks involving school staff. Tobacco & Public Health: WHO says tobacco leaf production is rising in Africa while countries spend more on imported cigarettes—raising health, trade and environmental concerns.

Higher Education Accountability: South Africa’s CPUT students marched to demand SIU action over alleged long-running financial mismanagement and bribery at the university. Teacher Promotion Justice: An Eastern Cape teacher won an ELRC battle after being unfairly overlooked for a departmental head role, with the department ordered to reverse the appointment. Child Protection Push: A South Africa-focused call urges faster, harsher legal action and better coordination to tackle toxic stress from child abuse. School Safety & Inclusion: Parents at Mitchells Plain Primary dispute alleged compulsory R10 “civvies” payments, while South Africa’s education system is also under pressure as reports cite hundreds of thousands of children not enrolled. Policy for Learning Systems: Nigeria plans a homegrown tertiary ranking framework beyond universities, expanding to polytechnics and colleges of education. Language & Culture in Classrooms: Confucius Institutes at the University of Nairobi and beyond keep expanding Chinese language learning through open days and career-focused messaging. Innovation & Skills: Inuka Tech Fellows trained on protecting and commercialising innovations via IP masterclasses. Food, Climate & Learning: A Catholic archbishop urged governments to protect water, denounce pollution and support community food-growing—linking environment and education. Research for Agriculture: Chinese scientists report a genetic barrier to crossbreeding African and Asian rice, a potential step toward higher-yield hybrids.

DR Congo Ebola & schooling: Classes resumed in the Ebola epicentre of Ituri despite parent and teacher fears, with authorities citing added school prevention steps and UNICEF support. Nigeria admissions fees: JAMB and WAEC set a one-time N4,000 fee for O’Level result verification, to be paid only via the JAMB platform, aiming to stop repeated charges by institutions. Kenya digital classrooms: Epson is exploring solar-powered printing and projection for rural schools, partnering to tackle unreliable electricity as Kenya pushes classroom modernisation. Ghana specialist training: Ghana launched a new association for plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgeons to expand training, research, standards and patient safety. Liberia students abroad: Liberia’s Bassa students in Rwanda honoured a county superintendent for US$1,200 support and urged graduates to return home and apply their skills. Africa AI governance (Francophone angle): La Francophonie held a digital governance forum in Geneva, stressing Francophone Africa’s push to produce home-grown AI rules. Tech & connectivity jobs in Kenya: In Kibera, an internet provider is training local residents for roles like installation and troubleshooting to turn connectivity into opportunity.