UNESCO, in partnership with UNICEF and the African Union, has launched the Second Continental Report on SDG4 and CESA during the Pan-African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED). The event coincided with the official launch of the African Union Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development in Africa (2024–2035).

Titled Transforming Learning and Skills Development in Africa, the report marks a shift from broad diagnostics to concrete, evidence-based solutions. It highlights scalable policies and practices that are driving real change across the continent.

With Africa’s youth projected to represent 42% of the global youth population by 2030, the stakes have never been higher. The report identifies seven promising approaches—from inclusive education and alternative learning pathways to teacher learning communities, education and TVET financing, and data-driven planning—designed to bridge persistent gaps in access, quality, and relevance, while equipping young Africans with the skills needed for the future.

The launch was co-chaired by Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation; Mr. Abdoulaye Salifou, Head of the Education Sector at the UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union; and Ms. Laila Gad, UNICEF Representative to the African Union. Together, they reaffirmed UNESCO and UNICEF’s joint commitment to advancing SDG4 and CESA.

Partners and participants emphasized the importance of the newly proclaimed African Union Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development in Africa (2025–2034). Building on this momentum, UNESCO and UNICEF renewed their pledge to strengthen coordinated action to accelerate education transformation across the continent.

“These commitments set the stage for tangible results,” said Mr. Salifou, speaking on behalf of UNESCO. “This is more than a report—it’s a call to action. The success of this Decade depends on all of us—governments, civil society, the private sector, and international partners. Let’s build Africa’s future on education, drive bold innovation, and collaborate across borders to share what works best.”

Addis Ababa, Oct. 1, 2025 — UNESCO, in partnership with UNICEF and the African Union, has launched the Second Continental Report on SDG4 and CESA during the Pan-African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED). The event coincided with the official launch of the African Union Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development in Africa (2024–2035).

Titled Transforming Learning and Skills Development in Africa, the report marks a shift from broad diagnostics to concrete, evidence-based solutions. It highlights scalable policies and practices that are driving real change across the continent.

With Africa’s youth projected to represent 42% of the global youth population by 2030, the stakes have never been higher. The report identifies seven promising approaches—from inclusive education and alternative learning pathways to teacher learning communities, education and TVET financing, and data-driven planning—designed to bridge persistent gaps in access, quality, and relevance, while equipping young Africans with the skills needed for the future.

The launch was co-chaired by Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, African Union Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation; Mr. Abdoulaye Salifou, Head of the Education Sector at the UNESCO Liaison Office to the African Union; and Ms. Laila Gad, UNICEF Representative to the African Union. Together, they reaffirmed UNESCO and UNICEF’s joint commitment to advancing SDG4 and CESA.

Partners and participants emphasized the importance of the newly proclaimed African Union Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development in Africa (2025–2034). Building on this momentum, UNESCO and UNICEF renewed their pledge to strengthen coordinated action to accelerate education transformation across the continent.

“These commitments set the stage for tangible results,” said Mr. Salifou, speaking on behalf of UNESCO. “This is more than a report—it’s a call to action. The success of this Decade depends on all of us—governments, civil society, the private sector, and international partners. Let’s build Africa’s future on education, drive bold innovation, and collaborate across borders to share what works best.” By Theolin Tembo, IOL

The movement behind the protest, known as Gen Z Mada, has been calling for the president to resign – and rejected an invitation to attend the talks. 

Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina has asked for one year to fix the country’s challenges, promising that if they persist, he will resign.

He said this during a town-hall style meeting at his palace with various groups of government supporters. Many attendees had the opportunity to ask the president questions or simply share their views – to which he responded. 

“I don’t want flattery. I want to hear the truth. It’s the people who kept telling me that everything was fine who are responsible for our current situation,” he said.

The movement behind the protest, known as Gen Z Mada, has been calling for the president to resign – and rejected an invitation to attend the talks.

They argue that they cannot engage a government that has been repressing them as they demand basic human rights. The group has called for new protests on Thursday.

“We refuse the president’s invitation to talks. We will not engage in dialogue with a regime that represses, assaults, and humiliates its youth in the streets,” they wrote on their Facebook page.

Rajoelina has been holding these meetings as part of his pledge to “listen more”, emphasising that the challenges facing the Indian Ocean island nation can only be solved through honest conversations and not protests.

The president assured those at the dialogue that ongoing power projects would address the recurring outages by adding 265 megawatts to the national grid.

“I swear that if power cuts persist in the capital within a year, I will resign,” he said.

The protests began on 25 September triggered by anger over persistent power and water shortages, and have escalated into broader dissatisfaction over corruption, high unemployment and the cost-of-living crisis.

Last week, Rajoelina sacked his entire government and appointed an army general as prime minister on Monday. The protest movement rejected the appointment and vowed to continue their struggle.

Rajoelina came to power in 2009 after leading mass protests that triggered military intervention and overthrew then-President Marc Ravalomanana.

Although the youth-led movement continues to demand his resignation, street protests appear to have weakened.

Life in most parts of the capital, Antananarivo, continues as normal, except in a few neighbourhoods with a heavy police presence, where some roads have been blocked or are being closely monitored.

At least 22 people have died in clashes with security forces and scores more have been injured, according to the United Nations. The authorities have disputed these figures.  By Simon Ndonga, Capital News