Unleashing Africa's potential: The role of education in a new era of development.
How can Africa's innovations in education fuel transformation across the continent and contribute to global wellbeing?
Education is humanity's most powerful lever for shaping a better world. It is a driver for every area of development - from the economy to health and nutrition - and strengthens resilience in the face of global challenges. Africa, home to the world's youngest and fastest growing population, stands at the heart of this transformation. Across the continent, innovations in education research and practice are already driving largescale systems change. It's vital we champion, celebrate, and share that work.
The inaugural Yidan Prize Conference in Africa will highlight the role of language in unlocking human potential
Taking place in Dakar, Senegal, the conference is co-convened with ARED (Associates in Research and Education for Development), led by 2025 Yidan Prize for Education Development Laureate Mamadou Amadou Ly, and with ADEA (Association for the Development of Education in Africa). Guided by ADEA's work on foundational learning, and featuring the powerful example of ARED's work in multilingual foundational learning, the conference will shine a spotlight on language as a gateway to learning and dignity, a foundation for confidence and agency, and a pathway to sustainable livelihoods.
Participants will explore the power of cross-sectoral partnerships in support of continent-wide priorities
The conference aligns with the African Union's Decade of Accelerated Action (2025 - 2034) and the Continental Education Strategy for Africa (CESA) which underscore the importance of foundational and labor-market-ready skills, support for teachers and school leadership, and education's role in tackling challenges such as climate and conflict. Building on the outcomes of the 2025 ADEA Triennialand echoing the Global Partnership for Education's Multiply Possibility campaign, it will spotlight the importance of country ownership and the value of cross-sectoral collaborations to finance innovation and fuel system-wide transformation.
The conference brings together distinguished contributors from research, practice, and policy, featuring:
- keynote addresses by representatives of the African Union and leading figures in education and development on the continent
- a plenary session on multilingual foundational learning, with education ministers across the region
- roundtable discussions on groundbreaking regional initiatives and Yidan Prize laureate projects at the intersections of education, economy, health, nutrition, and climate
- thematic working groups on multilingual foundational learning, secondary education and transition to sustainable livelihoods, education research for impact, and school leadership - each viewed through the crosscutting lenses of gender equity and inclusion, and AI and edtech.
If you are interested in participating, please send an email to conference@yidanprize.org. We will be in touch with further information.
Save the Date: Yidan 2026 Prize Conference Unleashing Africa's Potential: The Role of Education in a New Era of Development
How can educational innovations in Africa accelerate the continent's transformation and contribute to global well-being?
Education is humanity's most powerful lever for shaping a better world. It is an essential driver of development in all areas - from the economy to health and nutrition - and strengthens resilience in the face of global challenges. Africa, home to the world's youngest and most dynamic population, is at the heart of this transformation. Across the continent, innovations in research and educational practices are already driving large-scale systemic change. It is essential to support, promote and disseminate these advances.
The first Yidan Prize Conference to be held in Africa will focus on the decisive role of language in liberating human potential.
It will be held in Dakar, Senegal, and co-organized with ARED (Associates in Research and Education for Development), headed by Mamadou Amadou Ly, winner of the Yidan 2025 Prize for Education, and with ADEA (Association for the Development of Education in Africa).
Building on ADEA's work in basic learning, and drawing on ARED's remarkable example in multilingual basic learning, this conference will highlight language as a gateway to learning and dignity, a foundation for confidence and autonomy, and a pathway to sustainable livelihoods.
Participants will also explore the power of cross-sector partnerships to serve continental priorities.
The conference is part of the Decade of accelerated action (2025-2034) and Strategy for Education in Africa of the African Union, which emphasize the importance of basic and market-relevant skills, support for teachers and school leaders, and the central role of education in responding to challenges such as climate change and conflict. Drawing on the results of the Triennial ADEA 2025and echoing the "Multiplying the possibilities of the Global Partnership for Education, it will highlight the importance of national ownership and the value of cross-sector collaboration in financing innovation and accelerating the transformation of education systems.
The conference will bring together leading figures from research, practice and public policy, including :
- Keynote speeches by representatives of the African Union and leading figures from the world of education and development on the continent
- A plenary session devoted to multilingual basic learning, bringing together ministers of education from the region
- Round-table discussions on innovative regional initiatives and Yidan Prize-winning projects, at the intersection of education, the economy, health, nutrition and climate.
- Thematic workshops on multilingual basic learning, secondary education and the transition to sustainable livelihoods, educational research for impact, and school leadership - each approached from the cross-cutting angles of gender equality and inclusion, as well as artificial intelligence and educational technologies.
If you would like to take part, please send an e-mail to conference@yidanprize.org . We will contact you with further information.