Item added to bagSorry, there was a problem getting your bag informationItem cannot be purchased with the existing contents of your bagItem unavailable online
✕

was added to your bag.

Please try again.

Sorry, this item cannot be purchased in the same transaction as the existing items in your bag.

Please complete the purchase of the items currently in your bag and then add this item in a separate transaction or visit Shopping Help.

Sorry, this product is not currently available to buy online. Please visit Shopping Help.

View bag and checkout
Remove item
✕

Are you sure you want to remove from your bag?

African Union ECOSOCC and Cambridge partner to strengthen education and digital learning in Africa

News and Events

African Union ECOSOCC and Cambridge partner to strengthen education and digital learning in Africa

Today, the African Union’s Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) and Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge) signed an agreement to work together on education initiatives that will help shape the future of teaching and learning across Africa.  

Future of Learning
African Union ECOSOCC and Cambridge partners

The agreement was signed in New York on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, a global forum where education remains high on the agenda as a driver for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to turning those global ambitions into practical action.

Africa is home to the world’s fastest-growing youth population. Today, 60% of people on the continent are under 25 years old. By 2050, one in four people on the planet will live in Africa. This shift brings both opportunity and urgency: education systems must adapt quickly to equip young people with the skills they need for work, life and leadership in a changing world.  

ECOSOCC plays a vital role in this effort. As an advisory body of the African Union (AU), it brings together civil society organisations and professional groups from all 55 AU Member States. Acting as a bridge between citizens and AU institutions, ECOSOCC ensures that the voices of African people shape policies and programmes. Its work spans democracy, governance, peace and security, and initiatives for youth, women, and the African diaspora.  

Through this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ECOSOCC and Cambridge will develop a joint action plan covering four key areas:

  1. Digital education tools and learning systems. The partnership will explore ways to integrate digital technologies into teaching, learning and assessment to improve access, flexibility and quality. This includes developing online and offline courses, interactive platforms, and using tools such as tablets and educational software to support both teachers and learners. 
  2. Curriculum innovation. ECOSOCC and Cambridge will explore new approaches to curriculum design and training that equip young Africans with the skills they need for employment, entrepreneurship and life.  
  3. Capacity development for African civil society. As part of this effort, ECOSOCC and Cambridge will also work to strengthen the capacity of African civil society in areas such as leadership, governance and sustainability. This will pave the way for lasting change. 
  4. Strategic partnerships with multiple stakeholders. ECOSOCC and Cambridge will explore opportunities to come together with other partners and make the most of existing resources. This may include aligning projects, sharing expertise and finding practical ways to achieve common goals that benefit students and communities across Africa. 
William Carew, Head of AU-ECOSOCC, and Jane Mann, Managing Director, Partnership for Education at Cambridge, signed the agreement in the presence of ECOSOCC Presiding Officer Louis Cheick Sissoko.
William Carew, Head of AU-ECOSOCC, and Jane Mann, Managing Director, Partnership for Education at Cambridge, signed the agreement in the presence of ECOSOCC Presiding Officer Louis Cheick Sissoko.

To bring the joint action plan to life, ECOSOCC and Cambridge will meet regularly and work with other AU institutions, governments, and partners at regional and national levels.  

ECOSOCC Presiding Officer Louis Cheick Sissoko said: “This partnership amplifies African voices and supports the AU’s agenda for sustainable development and educational transformation.” 
 

Jane Mann, Managing Director, Partnership for Education, Cambridge, said: “Africa’s young and growing population is one of its greatest strengths; a generation ready to shape the future. By working together, we can equip them with the skills and confidence to unlock opportunities and drive progress across the continent and beyond. We’re looking forward to working with ECOSOCC to help make this happen through digital innovation and collaboration.” 

L – R, William Carew, Head of AU-ECOSOCC; Presiding Officer Louis Cheick Sissoko, Presiding Officer, AU-ECOSOCC; and Jane Mann, Managing Director, Partnership for Education, Cambridge.
L – R, William Carew, Head of AU-ECOSOCC; Presiding Officer Louis Cheick Sissoko, Presiding Officer, AU-ECOSOCC; and Jane Mann, Managing Director, Partnership for Education, Cambridge.

Read more