Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its educational journey, where the rapid growth of Sub-Saharan Africa's children population presents both an extraordinary opportunity and an urgent challenge.
According to the World Bank, nearly 750 million children across the continent will be of school age by 2060.
This demographic surge offers the chance to position Africa as a global powerhouse of talent.
However, it simultaneously underscores a daunting reality - the continent’s current education systems are already at capacity, and governments alone cannot meet the escalating demand.
Despite their best efforts, government systems across Africa are stretched thin, unable to cope with the surging need for educational resources and infrastructure.
This is precisely why the private sector must step in, not as a replacement for public education, but as a complementary force to bolster and strengthen existing systems.
Early this year, the World Economic Forum highlighted that within the next decade, one in three new entrants to the global workforce will be African.
This potential demographic dividend has the power to transform not only Africa but also the global economy.
Yet, this promise is under threat. In some countries, basic literacy skills have declined over the past three decades, and primary education completion rates recorded at around 63 percent, remain far below the global average of 87 percent.
Even more alarming is the fact that approximately 50 million children are still out of school across the continent.
If these statistics are anything to go by, the scale of investment needed to address these issues is staggering.
Illustrating this, Unesco estimates that Africa requires at least 9 million new classrooms and 9.5 million additional teachers by 2050 just to meet basic educational needs. This underscores the critical role of private sector intervention, which is no longer just a matter of choice but a necessity.
Private education providers are already stepping up to bridge these gaps.
For instance, ADvTECH, one of Africa's largest education investors, has been at the forefront of this effort with significant investments across the continent primarily in Kenya with schools like Makini Schools and Crawford International School , South Africa, Botswana, and most recently Ethiopia through the acquisition of Flipper International School.
These investments go beyond mere business expansion as they represent a strategic commitment to Africa’s future, demonstrating how private entities can build sustainable educational infrastructure while driving growth across the continent.
However, infrastructure development alone is insufficient to address Africa’s educational challenges. The future demands a reimagining of how education is delivered, with digital transformation at the core of this evolution.
As the region’s youth prepare to compete in an increasingly digital global economy, their education must impart relevant skills and competencies to ensure they are ready to seize these opportunities.
The private sector not only brings capital but also introduces innovation, efficiency, and proven methodologies to the education landscape.
Organisations like ADvTECH bring decades of experience in educational excellence and operational efficiency, which, when combined with local knowledge and cultural understanding, form a potent formula for success.
Critics might argue that private education widens the accessibility gap. However, the reality is more nuanced. Quality private education providers help ease the strain on public systems, enabling governments to allocate resources more effectively to improve public education.
Importantly, the private sector’s contributions do not absolve governments of their responsibilities for the reason that education remains a shared mandate. Only through partnerships among governments, NGOs, and private entities can Africa’s education system rise to meet its challenges.
The urgency of this situation cannot be overstated. Africa’s burgeoning youth population holds immense potential for driving global growth and innovation, but realising this potential requires immediate action to develop robust educational infrastructure.
The private sector’s involvement is not only about filling gaps but about creating centres of excellence that set benchmarks for educational innovation across the continent.
As we look to 2060 and beyond, the trajectory of Africa’s education sector will have profound global implications. Private sector participation is not just an opportunity but a necessity to ensure that the next generations receive the quality education they deserve.
The time to act is now. By investing in education today, the private sector can lead the charge, working hand in hand with governments to build a brighter future for all - one classroom at a time.
The writer is Regional Managing Director at Makini Schools