ESSA Annual Report 2023/24: A Year of Impact, Growth and Progress

In our 2023/24 Annual Report, we reflect on a year of great progress: 

• Worked with 600+ African researchers through Enhancing Education Research in Africa to co-create eight evidence-based solutions 

• Delivered critical insights through Demographics of African Faculty—Kenya alone needs 25,961 new faculty by 2030 

• Trained 46 researchers from 13 African countries in grant writing 

• Expanded the African Education Research Database to 6,500 publications 

• Amplified African voices through global platforms like the Goal 4 Podcast, University World News, and DEVEX 

• Strengthened our team and organisational culture across five African countries and Europe 

•  Welcomed two new trustees: Prof. Hellen Inyega and Abdelrahman Hassan

All our internal and external engagements that helped us achieve the above were guided by ESSA’s core values. At ESSA, we are:

• Evidence-based, grounding our work in data; 

• Solutions-focused, turning insights into action; 

• Strengthening Trust, by building authentic, long-term partnerships; and 

• Always Learning, so we adapt and grow with the people we serve. 

Looking ahead to 2025, we will launch our first research grants for Africa-based researchers focusing on early childhood development and foundational learning and collaborating to build vibrant research communities in school leadership and EdTech. We are also excited to deepen our partnerships and expand our impact across the continent. 

To our partners, funders, collaborators, and team—thank you. Your support, trust, and commitment made this journey possible. We are deeply grateful. 

Read the full report and join us in strengthening education systems in Africa.

ESSA Annual Report 2023/24