Forty-two African governments have committed to a unified continental plan aimed at eradicating learning poverty by 2035. The pledges were formalized at the conclusion of the third Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX2026), held in Lilongwe, Malawi, from July 15 to 17, 2026.
According to Substack, the initiative focuses on improving foundational learning through increased domestic education financing, the implementation of more robust accountability systems, and the integration of artificial intelligence and educational technology into classroom instruction.
Strategic Priorities for Educational Reform
The summit, organized by the Government of Malawi in collaboration with the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA), established six priority areas to guide national reforms. As reported by The Guardian Nigeria News, these priorities include:
* Increasing political leadership and domestic ownership of education reforms. * Establishing dedicated national budget lines specifically for foundational learning. * Strengthening data collection and accountability mechanisms. * Expanding evidence-based teaching methods, including the use of AI and technology. * Improving coordination among international development partners. * Ensuring equitable access to education for vulnerable and hard-to-reach children.
The summit participants emphasized that the focus must now transition from policy formulation to implementation. Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary of ADEA, stated that improving education outcomes requires both increased funding and the more efficient use of available resources.
Financing and Implementation
To support these goals, the conference saw the launch of the Foundational Learning Initiative for Government-Led Transformation (FLIGHT), a philanthropic platform designed to mobilize US$35 million for government-led reforms. Additionally, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) announced US$37 million in funding for Lesotho, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The World Bank reaffirmed its support through its US$1.5 billion AIM4Learning programme, which is part of a larger US$16 billion education portfolio across the continent.
Participating nations also highlighted successful existing models. Tanzania reported that its MEWAKA teacher coaching programme raised reading proficiency from 64 percent in 2021 to 90 percent in 2025. Nigeria has expanded its Teaching at the Right Level programme to approximately 12,000 schools, while Malawi’s Building Education Foundations through Innovation and Technology (BEFIT) programme has reached nearly 890,000 learners and trained roughly 17,900 teachers, according to thecitizen.co.tz.
Addressing the Learning Crisis
The urgency of the commitments is underscored by data indicating that across many parts of Africa, as many as nine in every 10 children aged 10 years are unable to read a simple sentence or perform basic mathematics with understanding. Experts at the summit warned that this trend threatens future workforce competitiveness and long-term economic development.
Pupils from Malawi’s Nkwiji Primary School also addressed the delegates, urging leaders to prioritize the provision of learning materials in languages understood by students, to train teachers in level-appropriate instruction, and to ensure that schools are resilient to climate shocks.
Accountability and Future Milestones
The delegates agreed to establish rigorous monitoring mechanisms to track the progress of these commitments. Governments are expected to present measurable results when the next FLEX summit convenes in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in 2028. This upcoming meeting will serve as a follow-up to assess the impact of the reforms initiated in Lilongwe and the progress made toward the 2035 target.
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