Ghana is set to host a High-Level Forum on Africa’s Higher Education Centers of Excellence (ACE) program from April 7-9, 2025, in Accra, marking a decade of transformative impact in higher education across the continent.
Themed “ACE@10 – Celebrating a Decade of Impact, Innovation, and Excellence,” the forum will assess the progress of the ACE program, which was launched in 2014 to strengthen African higher education institutions in addressing critical development challenges.
The event is being co-organized by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission, the Association of African Universities (AAU), and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA), with support from the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD).
Over the past decade, the ACE program has played a pivotal role in boosting collaboration and training in fields such as science, engineering, ICT and digital innovation, agriculture, health, and transport. The initiative has contributed to the development of a highly skilled workforce capable of driving Africa’s economic transformation.
The ACE@10 Forum is expected to attract around 500 participants from across Africa, including higher education and finance ministers, academics, researchers, development partners such as the World Bank and AFD, representatives from the African Union, international experts, and private sector players.
Key discussions at the forum will highlight major research breakthroughs, innovations, and success stories from the ACE initiative. Participants will also explore best practices and strategies for a potential follow-up phase of the program, ensuring that Africa’s higher education sector remains a strong driver of economic development.
With Accra as the host city, Ghana reinforces its position as a hub for higher education and research collaboration in Africa, providing a platform for stakeholders to shape the next phase of the continent’s academic excellence.
