Let's Talk Education Africa

Maybe the problem isn't that young people can't learn tech. Maybe it's how we've been teaching it. In this episode, Senyo speaks with Michelle, founder of Nyansapo Institute, about why too many learners leave school knowing the theory but lacking the skills to build, create, and solve real problems. They discuss what it takes to prepare young people for careers in tech, why hands-o...

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Fatma, an education leader whose journey spans public health, child protection, international development, and school leadership, to explore what future-ready education looks like in a world shaped by rapid technological change, artificial intelligence, and evolving workforce demands. Fatma reflects on the purpose of schooling, the skills young people need to thr...

In this episode, Aml speaks with Evans Sinkari, Country Director of Right to Play Ghana, an international NGO dedicated to educating, protecting, and empowering children through the power of play. This conversation addresses the key barriers to children's access to quality education in Ghana, the importance of child-centered learning, and how collaboration among educators, families, and commun...

In this episode, Senyo speaks with education economist and researcher Dr. Peter Anti-Partey on the realities of education financing in Ghana and across Africa. Far from a simple case of "no money," Dr. Anti-Partey reveals how political interests, inefficient spending, and a disregard for data-driven equity are stalling educational progress. The episode further examines the role of citizens and civ...

In this episode, Kwame speaks with Prof. Ulrich Paquet, Research Scientist at Google DeepMind and Director of AI at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), and Sepehr Hejazi Moghadam, Senior Programme Manager at Google.org and lead of the Science Ecosystem portfolio, to unpack the launch of a freely accessible AI curriculum. Developed from the ground up with African educators to in...

In this episode, Aml speaks with Jane Clayson Johnson and Brian Ashton, president of BYU Pathway Worldwide, together with a Ghanaian student, Benjamin Kwesi Ahialorxo, whose life has been directly transformed by the program. BYU Pathway's efforts have provided thousands of students in Africa with greater access to higher education, making it more affordable and closely linked to real opportunities...

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Evelyne Keomian-Wood, founder of the Karat School Project. Evelyne’s early experiences with hunger, poverty, and limited access to learning shaped her belief that education can break cycles of poverty, a belief that has led her to establish the Karat School Project. The conversation highlights the key barriers many children still face in accessing education, part...

Imagine a child in a classroom, bright, curious, and full of ideas. But every time words dance on the page, they twist into shapes that don’t make sense. The teacher thinks the child isn’t trying hard enough, and report cards carry painful labels that stick for years. Yet beneath all that, the child isn’t slow. The child isn’t incapable. The child simply learns differently. In this episode, Aml sp...

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Mr. Modern Karema, the Uganda Country Director for STiR Education, about the organization’s mission to help teachers thrive and transform learning outcomes. The conversation explores STiR Education’s efforts in strengthening education systems by building the capacity of government structures rather than creating parallel ones and helping school leaders, district...

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Lazarus Muthenya, Programmes Manager at Edutab Africa, a Kenyan EdTech organization making digital learning accessible to offline communities across Kenya and beyond. Lazarus takes us inside Edutab’s mission and the pillars that drive their work: Digital Learning Solutions, Teacher Professional Development, STEAM education, and the African Children’s Stories podc...

Education technology (EdTech) is widely recognized for its potential to strengthen access, improve quality, and bridge gaps in Africa’s education systems. Yet, the expectations of EdTech have not always matched the reality on the ground. Uncertainties linger around access, sustainability, equity, and whether technology is truly transforming learning outcomes for African students. In this episode,...

What began as a simple high school project has, over the past two decades, grown into a transformative force for education, health, and community development. Julie-Anne and three friends launched the African Education Program (AEP) with nothing more than books, computers, and a desire to make a meaningful connection with disadvantaged youth in Kafue, Zambia. Over the years, their work has been sh...

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on an upcoming event transforming how African educators connect, collaborate, and champion education rooted in African realities- The AfricanISE Virtual Conference . Created to fill the gap for a dedicated space centering African voices and issues in education, this gathering aims to inspire a renewed sense of urgency and purpose among educators across the con...

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Lawrence Boakye Dankwah, Head of Education Programs at EduSpots, an organization reshaping education through a community-led model that centers local leadership and ownership. EduSpots began with the simple idea of “reading spots” and has since evolved into a dynamic network of over 50 community owned learning spaces, known as “Spots,” spread across Ghana and bey...

“If you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation.” - Dr. James Kwegyir Aggrey Girls’ education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming societies across Africa. Educated girls are more likely to become empowered women who uplift their families, communities, and nations. Yet, barriers such as poverty, gender norms, and disability continue to limit access for many girls across the...

While many African classrooms continue to center instruction around textbooks and rigid curriculums, we continue to ask: Are we truly equipping our learners with the skills, mindset, and adaptability needed to thrive in a rapidly changing, tech-driven world? As the demands of the 21st century evolve, so too must our approach to learning. This episode explores the urgent need to move beyond rote le...

In this episode, Kwame speaks with Dr. Vida Awinime Bugri, a dedicated researcher and passionate advocate for gender equity in STEM education. With teaching experience in France and a strong commitment to social justice, she has seen firsthand the systemic challenges women face in STEM fields. This insight inspired her to establish Eduvision, an NGO focused on empowering, mentoring, and training w...

Could the solutions to learning crisis already exist within education systems? In this episode, Aml speaks with Jessica Bergmann, an Education Research Specialist at UNICEF Innocenti, on the Data Must Speak positive deviance research. For the past 3 years, Jessica has been supporting this initiative, which empowers school actors as change agents and aims to harness existing data and local solution...

Education research in Africa has long been a crucial aspect of shaping the continent’s future. However, the dominance of Western-led research initiatives has often led to a lack of locally relevant evidence to inform policies and practices.  In this episode, Senyo speaks with Dr. Lucy Wakiaga, Associate Research Scientist at African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). Dr. Wakiaga shares...

Data is the backbone of informed decision-making in education; and in today's data-driven world, it is more crucial than ever for educators to stay ahead of the curve and leverage data to drive student success.  Building on this imperative, the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) launched the Tackling Education and Skills Data Challenge in Africa project, a 5-year initiat...

The strategic integration of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education have shown promising results globally. But what are the implications, opportunities, and challenges of these emerging fields in African educational contexts, and how can AI be harnessed in the continent’s education system? In this episode, Kwame explores these questions with Emmanuel Mawuli Kanati, a renowned D...

Kids Club Kampala is a children's charity organization founded in 2009 by three friends, Olivia, Sam, and Corrie. The organization improves livelihoods of children and families in Kampala's slum areas through three main programs: education, child protection, and family strengthening. In this episode, Aml speaks Olivia Barker White, Co-Founder and CEO, who shares the inspiring story behind Kids Clu...

In this episode, Senyo Speaks with Esther Tawiah, Director of the Gender Centre for Empowering Developments, as they delve into the critical topic of Decolonizing Higher Education in Africa. Esther shares her insights on the need to break free from imposed educational systems and create a path that reflects African value and knowledge.  The episode also explores the delicate balance between embrac...

Can education make a meaningful contribution to peacebuilding efforts? Is education enough to achieve a lasting peace, or are other factors also necessary? In this episode, Senyo speaks with Timothy Dziedzom Amaglo-Mensah, research assistant at the University of Glasgow and co-host on PeaceEd Chat about his research on “The Purposes of Education in Peacebuilding: Views of Local Peace Actors in Div...

Education is a powerful tool for transformation in Africa, but the sector faces a critical challenge: a legacy of colonialism that has shaped the continent’s higher education systems. As the continent strives to reclaim its cultural identity and address its unique challenges, the need to decolonize higher education has become increasingly urgent. But what does this mean in practice? In this episod...