ESSA Annual Report 2024/25: A landmark year for ESSA

Our Annual Report for the year ended 30 September 2025 reflects on a year of growth, stronger partnerships and increased use of African-led evidence in education policy and practice.

Working with researchers, governments, universities, funders and partners, we strengthened research capacity, supported locally led solutions and helped make African education research more accessible and useful.

2025 at a glance

• Secured the largest investment in ESSA’s history through the African Centre for School Leadership, funded by the Mastercard Foundation. ESSA is leading the Centre’s research work to strengthen school leadership systems across Africa.

• Supported 31 early childhood development researchers across 10 African countries with grants worth up to US$15,000 each. The researchers were selected from more than 800 applicants, and 55% of the recipients were women.

• Expanded the African Education Research Database to more than 6,500 publications, including over 1,700 peer-reviewed publications added during the year.

• Contributed evidence that informed new harmonised regional data guidelines and indicators approved by the Inter-University Council for East Africa. These will support faculty development and workforce planning across the East African Community.

• Strengthened partnerships with institutions including the Gates Foundation and the International Development Research Centre. ESSA also joined the EdTech Hub and ADEA to lead a multi-country research initiative on education technology and foundational learning.

• Produced 87 research outputs across priority areas, including nine research papers and 15 policy briefs, and participated in or led more than 40 events.

• Strengthened confidence in ESSA’s work: 93% of stakeholders said ESSA strengthens trust in the use of evidence, while 87% rated our knowledge outputs as highly relevant to their work.

• Welcomed Dr Pauline Essah as Chief Executive Officer in August 2025, following the leadership of Dr Lucy Heady. The transition positioned ESSA for its next phase of growth and influence.

These achievements were guided by ESSA's values:

Looking ahead to 2026

As ESSA celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2026, we will expand research grants in early childhood development and foundational learning, strengthen communities of practice in school leadership and EdTech, and advance the next phase of our work on university faculty data.

We will also establish a Policy, Advocacy and Impact team to strengthen the connection between research, policy and practice, while continuing to build the partnerships and systems needed to support African education research and researchers.

To our partners, funders, researchers, trustees, staff and supporters: thank you. Your collaboration, commitment and trust made these achievements possible.

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

ESSA Annual Report 2024/25