The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) has announced the 2025 Triennale on Education and Training in Africa, set to take place from October 29 to 31, 2025, bringing together policymakers, educators, researchers, and innovators to explore transformative pathways for Africa’s education future.
This year’s Triennale, one of the continent’s most influential education gatherings, is themed “Strengthening the Resilience of Africa’s Educational Systems: Advancing Towards Ending Learning Poverty by 2035 with a Well-Educated and Skilled Workforce for the Continent and Beyond.”
The gathering of educators, innovators, policy makers etc will capture powerful ideas, voices, and innovations that are redefining education and skills development across Africa, offering a platform for collaboration, evidence sharing, and strategic planning among education stakeholders.
In a rapidly changing global context, the 2025 edition aims to assess the progress made since the FLEX 2024 discussions while confronting emerging challenges in access, quality, financing, and equity. The event will feature eight major sub-themes, each addressing critical dimensions of Africa’s education transformation agenda.
The first sub-theme, “Reimagining Financing for Education in Africa,” will focus on developing innovative and sustainable financing models that can withstand global economic shifts. It will explore new partnerships, domestic funding strategies, and private-sector collaboration to ensure that no child is left behind due to funding limitations.
The second, “Improving Foundational Learning,” will evaluate the continent’s progress in literacy and numeracy outcomes since FLEX 2024. With learning poverty still a major concern in many African nations, this session will highlight successful interventions, policy lessons, and country-led reforms that have yielded measurable improvements.
The third sub-theme, “Transforming Secondary Education and Ensuring Sustainable Financing for TVSD,” will address the relevance and resilience of secondary and technical education in preparing young Africans for future jobs. Discussions will center on best practices, innovative partnerships, and scalable solutions that link training with employability.
Another critical area of focus is “Repositioning Higher Education and Scientific Research.” This segment will emphasize the need to align higher education financing, research, and mobility of skills with the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Participants will discuss how to strengthen regional collaboration, promote innovation, and expand access to quality tertiary education that meets market needs.
The fifth sub-theme, “Using Evidence and Digital Technology in Education,” will analyze how technology and data are transforming learning experiences. It will examine both the successes and shortfalls of digital interventions in reaching every learner, especially those in rural or marginalized communities.
The sixth, “From Policies to Systems and Processes,” will focus on how African countries can transition from pilot projects to sustainable systems that ensure consistent and measurable learning outcomes. This dialogue will highlight the importance of policy implementation, accountability frameworks, and institutional coordination in driving long-term progress.
The seventh theme, “Innovative and Sustainable Approaches in School Leadership and Teacher Development,” recognizes that no education system can outperform its teachers. This discussion will explore new models of teacher preparation, professional development, and school leadership in alignment with the Decade of Education for Africa initiative.
The final sub-theme, “Gender, Equity, Inclusion, and Climate Adaptation,” will emphasize inclusive education systems that address gender disparities, disability access, and climate-related disruptions. It will encourage innovation and cross-sector collaboration to ensure equitable opportunities for all learners.
The ADEA Triennale 2025 is expected to serve as a landmark forum for evaluating how far African nations have come in building resilient education systems capable of driving socio-economic growth and reducing learning poverty.
Beyond the presentations, the event will feature high-level policy dialogues, innovation showcases, and country-led sessions that demonstrate practical solutions being implemented across the continent. Stakeholders will also deliberate on actionable commitments and measurable outcomes to guide education reforms over the next decade.
As Africa moves toward ending learning poverty by 2035, the Triennale will play a critical role in aligning education strategies with continental priorities such as youth employment, gender equality, digital inclusion, and sustainable development.
By fostering collaboration among governments, international organizations, academia, and the private sector, the ADEA Triennale 2025 aims to accelerate the transformation of Africa’s education landscape, ensuring that every learner, regardless of background or geography, can acquire the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in a changing world.
