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Publications

Our latest resources and publications

18 Aug, 2026
Improving the Visibility of Education Research in Francophone Africa
This report focuses on the ecosystem of education research produced in French in Africa, highlighting its
relevance for researchers, journals and policymakers operating in this context.
23 Jul, 2026
ESSA Annual Report 2024/25: A landmark year for ESSA
In our 2024/25 Annual Report, we reflect on a landmark year for ESSA
13 Apr, 2026
School Leadership in Africa - A Continental Mapping Report
This report presents a continental mapping of school leadership in Africa, conducted by the African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL).
23 Feb, 2026
National Education Research Agenda - Kenya
This document serves as a tool for aligning research efforts, improving coordination, and strengthening collaboration between evidence producers and users.
31 Oct, 2025
Key Indicators for Student and Faculty Data for Higher Education Data Management
This document presents two complementary sets of indicators—student indicators and faculty indicators—designed to support consistent data collection and analysis within higher education systems.
12 Sep, 2025
Policy Brief: Enhancing Holistic Child Development in Uganda through Context-Relevant Research
This policy brief presents insights into Early Childhood Development (ECD) research in Uganda, focusing on trends in outputs, funding, authorship, and collaboration between 2010 and 2022.
12 Sep, 2025
Policy Brief: Enhancing Holistic Child Development in Tanzania through Context-Relevant Research
This policy brief presents insights into Early Childhood Development (ECD) research in Tanzania, focusing on trends in outputs, funding, authorship, and collaboration between 2010 and 2022.
12 Sep, 2025
Policy Brief: Enhancing Holistic Child Development in Kenya through Context-Relevant Research
This policy brief presents insights into Early Childhood Development (ECD) research in Kenya, focusing on trends in outputs, funding, authorship, and collaboration between 2010 and 2022.
12 Sep, 2025
Policy Brief: Enhancing Holistic Child Development in Ghana through Context-Relevant Research
This policy brief presents insights into Early Childhood Development (ECD) research in Ghana, focusing on trends in outputs, funding, authorship, and collaboration between 2010 and 2022.
11 Sep, 2025
Rapport de l'atelier : Promouvoir la recherche locale sur l'apprentissage fondamental pour éclairer les politiques éducatives au Sénégal
Ce rapport résume les principales recommandations issues d'un atelier organisé en présentiel par Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA) et le Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre de l'université de Cambridge. L'atelier s'est tenu le 25 juin 2025 à Dakar, au Sénégal.
10 Sep, 2025
Workshop Report: Promoting Locally Led and Policy-Relevant Foundational Learning Research Priorities in Senegal
This report summarises key recommendations from an in-person workshop organised by Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) and the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre at the University of Cambridge. The event took place on 25th June 2025 in Dakar, Senegal.
05 Sep, 2025
Workshop Report: Promoting Locally Led and Policy-Relevant Foundational Learning Research Priorities in Kenya
This report summarises key recommendations from an in-person workshop organised by Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) and the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre at the University of Cambridge. The event took place on 14th May 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya.
12 Aug, 2025
Workshop Report: Promoting Locally Led and Policy-Relevant Foundational Learning Research Priorities in Ghana
This report summarises key recommendations from an in-person workshop organised by Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) and the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre at the University of Cambridge. The event took place on 15th April 2025 in Accra, Ghana.
30 Jul, 2025
Harmonised Guidelines for Higher Education Data Collection and Management in the East African Community
The Harmonised Guidelines for Higher Education Data Collection and Management in the East African Community aim to provide a unified framework for improving the quality, comparability, and usability of higher education data across the East African Community.
18 Jul, 2025
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
11 Jun, 2025
A Deep Dive into the Education Research Landscape in Kenya and Senegal
Based on a rapid mapping of 47 sub-Saharan African countries (2018-2023), this report analyses educational research institutions. It then conducts a deeper assessment of the educational research landscape through case studies in Kenya and Senegal, providing a detailed thematic analysis informed by foundational learning research data from these countries.
13 Jun, 2025
Policy Brief: Trends, Gaps, and Policy Recommendations for Strengthening the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Research Ecosystem in Senegal to Improve the Quality of Education
12 Jun, 2025
Policy Brief: Renforcer la recherche en apprentissage fondamental au Sénégal : tendances, défis et recommandations pour une éducation de qualité.
14 May, 2025
Policy Brief: Trends, Gaps, and Policy Recommendations for Strengthening Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Research Ecosystem in Kenya to Improve the Quality of Education
30 Apr, 2025
Policy Brief: Trends, Gaps, and Policy Recommendations for Strengthening Ghana’s Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Research Ecosystem to Improve the Quality of Education
25 Nov, 2024
Introduction: Concept Notes for Enhancing Education Research in Africa
This note introduces and frames the eight interventions to enhance education research in Africa that have emerged from the Enhancing Education Research in Africa (EERA) process.
23 Oct, 2024
Faculty First: Addressing Faculty Challenges in Uganda’s Universities
This policy brief addresses faculty challenges in Ugandan universities, particularly at Makerere University. It draws insights from the Demographics of African Faculty (DAF) study conducted between 2021 and 2023.
23 Oct, 2024
Faculty First: Strengthening Tanzania's Universities
This policy brief provides a comprehensive assessment of faculty supply and demand and projects future needs through 2030.
23 Oct, 2024
Closing the Gap: Addressing Faculty Shortages in Rwandan Higher Education Institutions
This policy brief identifies several critical areas for improvement in Rwandan higher education institutions.
23 Oct, 2024
Investing in Faculty: A Call to Action for Strengthening Kenya's University Education
This Policy Brief addresses significant challenges in Kenya's higher education system, highlighting faculty demographics, student-teacher ratios (STRs), and gender disparity.
23 Oct, 2024
Strengthening Burundi's Higher Education: Actionable Strategies for a Diverse and Effective Faculty
These findings underscore the critical need for robust and sustained efforts to address the faculty shortage, improve gender balance, and enhance the quality of higher education in Burundi.
23 Oct, 2024
Data-Driven Decisions: Using Evidence to Improve South Sudan's Higher Education System
South Sudan's higher education system, though young, has witnessed growth. However, significant challenges highlighted in this Policy Brief require immediate attention.
23 Jul, 2024
ESSA's 2022/23 Annual Report
Our 2022/23 Annual Report is out now!
15 Jul, 2024
Literature search protocol: Mapping country-based early childhood development research outputs by researchers located in sub-Saharan Africa
This protocol outlines the process of identifying relevant publications from various national and regional repositories and databases in five countries within sub-Saharan Africa.
15 Jul, 2024
Literature Search Protocol: Mapping Early Childhood Development Publications in International Databases by Researchers Located in sub-Saharan Africa
This protocol outlines the procedure for identifying and compiling relevant details of Early Childhood Development research and researchers from sub-Saharan Africa.
26 Mar, 2024
A Situational Analysis on the State of the Education Research Field in Africa
In a new report, the situational analysis of Enhancing Education Research in Africa (EERA) reveals a promising landscape characterised by the dedication of the actors’ and rapid growth in research publications.
11 Dec, 2023
Executive Summary: A Situational Analysis on the State of the Education Research Field in Africa
This executive summary offers education stakeholders the key findings resulting from an analysis of the education research field in Africa.
07 Dec, 2023
Améliorer La Recherche Menée en Afrique sur Le Développement de La Petite Enfance et L’Apprentissage de Base
Ce rapport met en évidence les thèmes prioritaires de recherche et les besoins de développement professionnel des chercheurs africains et des acteurs de l’éducation lors de l’atelier « Améliorer La Recherche Menée en Afrique sur Le Développement de La Petite Enfance et L’Apprentissage de Base ».
07 Dec, 2023
Enhancing Africa-Led Research on Early Childhood Development, and Foundational Learning
This report highlights the research priority themes and professional development needs of the African researchers and education stakeholders at the ‘Enhancing Africa-led Research on Early Childhood Development and Foundational Learning’ workshop.
14 Sep, 2023
Young Africans Speak: Views on University Education and the Transition to Work from Ghana, Kenya and Uganda
This report overviews data collected in 2021 in Ghana, Kenya and Uganda, for the purpose of building understanding of the higher education ecosystem in the three focus countries.
15 Aug, 2023
Demographics of African Faculty in The East African Community
This study builds upon earlier research conducted in Ghana and aims to shed light on the composition of higher education faculty across East African countries.
26 Jul, 2023
ESSA's 2021/22 Report
Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) proudly presents its annual report, revealing remarkable progress in 2021/22.
21 Jul, 2023
What Can Tertiary Students in Africa Do to Increase Their Chances of Finding Work
This short report provides data and evidence to help tertiary students in sub-Saharan Africa increase their chances of finding work.
17 Jul, 2023
Enhancing Africa-Led Research on Early Childhood Development and Foundational Learning Workshop: Recommendations for Action
This report summarises key recommendations from a virtual workshop organised by Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) and the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre on the theme: Enhancing Africa-led Research on Early Childhood Education and Foundational Learning. 
27 Jun, 2023
What Next? Enhancing African Students' Transition to Employment Through Effective Career Services
This report provides valuable insights and recommendations to bridge the gap between education and employment.
16 May, 2023
Addressing Faculty Challenges in sub-Saharan Africa: Observations and Potential Solutions from Select Countries in the Region
This report highlights valuable insights and potential solutions to tackle faculty challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
06 Apr, 2023
Impact of COVID-19 on Teaching Models and the Supply and Demand of Faculty in the East African Community
This report by Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) and the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) provides valuable insights into the challenges faced by faculty and students in the East African Community (EAC) due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
16 May, 2022
2020/2021 Annual Report of Education Sub Saharan Africa
Our Annual Report highlights our achievements from 2021 and a growing track record in supporting local institutions and governments in transforming tertiary education across the continent.
08 Mar, 2022
Case Studies on the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Responses from West African Universities
This report contributes to existing knowledge by providing case studies about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on two West African universities and how these universities are responding.

15 Jun, 2021
Strategy Framework
Our Strategy Framework gives an overview of our work and our ambitions for the next five years.
15 Feb, 2022
Complementary Pathways through Education for Refugees in the West and Central Africa Region: Mapping Refugee Education Opportunities
The report provides reliable, comparable data between 21 countries in West and Central Africa, highlighting education pathways absent from national contexts for refugees.
06 Aug, 2021
ESSA & REAL Centre Conference Report
The report summarises key recommendations from a virtual conference organised Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) and the Research for Equitable Access and Learning (REAL) Centre at the University of Cambridge on 24th June 2021, focusing on the theme: Action on Funding for African-led Education Research.
15 Jun, 2021
5th Anniversary Report
Our 5th Anniversary Report ‘‘Education for the Future’’ gives an overview of our work since 2016 and our ambitions for the next five years.
31 May, 2021
Women Leading Stakeholder Workshop Report
This report provides a summary of the stakeholder workshop, including the introductory presentations of the key findings from the State of Women Leading report and the results of the breakout sessions to co-create concept initiatives.
11 May, 2021
Student Perceptions of Education & Jobs Online
What are students’ online perceptions and concerns on tertiary education and employment in sub-Saharan Africa?
13 Apr, 2021
Brief: The Gender Gap in Universities and Colleges in sub-Saharan Africa
This brief highlights the higher education gender gaps in sub-Saharan Africa and what can be done about it.
29 Jul, 2021
The State of Women Leading Report
Our 2021 State of Women Leading Report addresses some of the pressing challenges and recommendations in promoting women leadership and the pandemic response for the tertiary education sector. 
24 Mar, 2021
Brief: How universities in Africa can build job skills for young people
By: Samuel Asare, Senior Research Manager, Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA)
18 Feb, 2021
Brief: Inclusion of youth with disabilities in TVET in Africa: Access, learning and transition to work
By: Samuel Asare, Senior Research Manager, Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA)
12 Jan, 2021
Impact of COVID-19 on Tertiary Education in Sub-Saharan Africa Report
Our Report on the COVID-19 Pandemic Response and Lessons for students, faculty and Vice Chancellors in sub-Saharan Africa.
18 Sep, 2020
A Guide for Increasing the Social Impact of Scholarships
Our framework and guide for scholarship funders and providers measures the impact of scholarships and promotes transparency.
08 Sep, 2020
UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report: Inclusion and Education
We studied over 350 of the top scholarship programmes around the world, for students from sub-Saharan Africa.
24 Jul, 2020
Mapping Education Research by Scholars based in sub-Saharan Africa
Insights from the African Education Research Database.
09 Jun, 2020
Impact Report
Our Impact Report 'Transforming Education Together' gives an overview of our work and impact so far.
29 May, 2020
Unlocking Data Workshop Reports
These reports are from a series of workshops held in partnership with Zizi Afrique, EdTech Hub, and Decent Jobs for Youth on Unlocking Data to increase data access and use for education in Africa.
06 May, 2020
Cartographie De La Production De La Recherche En Education, Formation Et Employabilité En Côte D’Ivoire De 2008 À 2018
Ce rapport met en évidence le rôle pivot de l'éducation dans la réalisation des Objectifs de développement durable, englobant tous les niveaux, les âges et les domaines.
14 Apr, 2020
Demographics of African Faculty Study: Ghana
There is a surge in students attending universities and colleges across sub-Saharan Africa.
15 Jun, 2021
Strategy Framework
Our Strategy Framework gives an overview of our work and our ambitions for the next five years.