Africa’s widening education challenges are emerging as a material economic risk, reinforcing a warning by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres that underinvestment in learning is undermining growth, productivity and long-term stability.
In a message marking the International Day of Education, Guterres said education is both a fundamental right and a strategic economic asset, cautioning that millions of young people globally remain excluded from schooling due to poverty, conflict, displacement and discrimination. The result, he warned, is weaker human capital and constrained future labour markets.
Fresh survey data suggest the concern is increasingly shared by African citizens.
Education Rises on Policy Agenda
Education now ranks third among the most urgent problems Africans want their governments to address, up from sixth place in 2021/2023, according to the latest Afrobarometer Pan-Africa Profile. It is tied with the rising cost of living, infrastructure and water supply, trailing only health and unemployment.
The findings are based on nearly 51,000 interviews conducted across 38 African countries in 2024 and 2025, pointing to a shift in public priorities as economies grapple with inflation, weak job creation and slowing growth.
Split Verdict on Government Performance
Public assessments of government delivery remain evenly divided. About 49% of respondents say their governments are performing “fairly well” or “very well” on education, while an equal share rate performance poorly.
Country results vary sharply. Zambia and Tanzania record approval ratings above 80%, while fewer than one-third of respondents express satisfaction in Angola, Chad, Nigeria and Congo-Brazzaville, countries facing persistent unemployment and fiscal strain.
The uneven outcomes underscore Guterres’ call for stronger political commitment and sustained financing to close gaps in access and quality.
Uneven Gains in Educational Attainment
The data show progress in access, particularly among younger Africans. Nearly two in ten adults report post-secondary education, while the largest share cite secondary schooling as their highest level attained.
However, gains remain uneven. Educational attainment continues to lag among women, poorer households and rural populations, reinforcing structural inequalities that limit labour productivity and economic participation. While younger citizens are more educated than their elders, disparities threaten Africa’s ability to fully capitalise on its demographic dividend.
Gender Risks Inside the Classroom
Beyond access, Afrobarometer highlights risks within education systems. Nearly three in ten respondents say schoolgirls are often discriminated against, harassed or pressured for sexual favours by teachers. In countries such as Gabon and Cameroon, a majority of citizens report that such practices are widespread.
Analysts say unsafe learning environments contribute to higher dropout rates among girls, weakening female participation in the workforce and reducing long-term growth potential.
Strong Backing for Inclusion
Despite these challenges, public support for inclusive education policies is strong. More than 80% of respondents endorse allowing girls who become pregnant or have children to continue their education, reflecting broad recognition that exclusion carries lasting social and economic costs.
The sentiment aligns with Guterres’ call for inclusive, resilient and innovative education systems that equip young people with relevant skills for a changing global economy.
Education as an Economic Test
Taken together, the UN chief’s warning and Afrobarometer’s data point to education’s growing role as an economic policy test for African governments. With citizens elevating education alongside jobs and living costs, failure to invest risks deepening inequality, slowing growth and amplifying social pressures.
As Guterres has argued, spending on teachers, skills and technology is no longer discretionary. For Africa’s policymakers, education is fast becoming a core economic imperative rather than a long-term aspiration.
