Africa has made tremendous strides in building science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills, but challenges remain. Spending on tertiary education in Africa is critical for STEM and research & development.

Given the low public financing of tertiary education in Africa, there is a critical need for greater involvement of the private sector across the continent and for political commitment to guarantee the private sector’s returns on investment.

This event, organized in partnership with the African Union Commission, the Government of Kenya, and GIZ/KFW, at the African Development Bank’s 2024 Annual Meetings, will provide a platform for African leaders and the private sector to examine and commit to increasing financing for tertiary education.

The event will discuss strategies and best practices for stimulating private-sector financing, and explore how the private sector can contribute to demand-driven skills development to enable Africa to address the persistent skills mismatches.

Participants will include ministers of finance, education/TVET ministers, private sector leaders, academia and tertiary education administrators, TVET main actors/regulators, national training authorities, development partners, philanthropies and AfDB staff.

Time: 09:00-10:30 ET / 13:00-14:30 GMT / 14:00-15:30 CET / 16:00-17:30 EAT

View the full program of the AfDB meetings

Interpretation in English and French will be available.