On 16 April 2026, a high-level side event held during CPD59 brought together policymakers, development partners, and experts to explore how technology and geo-referenced census data can transform education systems and drive inclusive development across sub-Saharan Africa.
Co-hosted by the UNFPA, UNICEF and UNESCO, the event—titled “Transforming Education for Inclusive Development: Leveraging Technology and Geo-referenced Census for Population-Centered Decision-Making”—highlighted the urgency of aligning education systems with the region’s rapid demographic transformation.
A Region at a Demographic Turning Point
With the population projected to grow from 1.3 billion in 2025 to nearly 2 billion by 2050—and the majority under the age of 25—sub-Saharan Africa stands at a decisive moment. This demographic shift offers a unique opportunity to accelerate inclusive growth, provided education systems are equitable, resilient, and responsive to evolving socio-economic realities.
Despite progress in school completion and gender parity, major gaps remain. Millions of children are still out of school, and learning outcomes remain critically low. These challenges are compounded by fragile contexts marked by conflict, climate shocks, and rapid urbanization.
Data and Technology as Game Changers
Participants emphasized that transforming education requires placing data and digital innovation at the core of decision-making. The increasing number of national censuses conducted across the region signals a strong commitment to evidence-based planning.
Geo-referenced census data, combined with digital platforms, enables governments to identify disparities with precision and target investments more effectively. This is particularly critical for reaching marginalized populations, including girls, rural communities, and displaced populations.
Innovations such as digital learning platforms and AI-driven tools are already demonstrating impact. Experiences from across the region show that technology can expand access, improve learning outcomes, and equip young people with skills relevant to the 21st-century economy.
Country Leadership and Regional Momentum
The panel featured distinguished leaders who shared country experiences and strategic perspectives on leveraging data and innovation.
His Excellency Saïdou Zongo highlighted how Burkina Faso is advancing education transformation despite a challenging security context. He underscored the country’s commitment to equity and resilience, emphasizing strong collaboration with international partners to harness geo-referenced census data for more inclusive and targeted education policies.
Representing Sierra Leone, His Excellence Reverend Doctor Jonathan Titus Williams emphasized the importance of addressing systemic barriers through robust planning reforms. He noted that data-driven approaches are central to ensuring inclusive development and improving education outcomes for all segments of the population.
From Nigeria, Her Excellence Professor Suwaiba Saidu Ahmed positioned the country as a regional leader in digital education transformation. She highlighted scalable innovations and policy-driven approaches that integrate population data into education planning, demonstrating how technology can be leveraged at scale to improve quality and access.
Towards Inclusive and Resilient Education Systems
Discussions underscored the need to move beyond access and focus on quality, relevance, and inclusion. Investing in digital skills, data literacy, and innovation is essential to prepare young people for the future.
Participants also stressed the importance of ensuring that education systems are inclusive of marginalized groups, particularly girls, youth not in education or employment, and persons with disabilities. Technology, when deployed strategically, can play a transformative role in bridging these gaps.
Partnerships for Sustainable Impact
A strong consensus emerged on the need for multi-sectoral collaboration. Transforming education requires coordinated efforts across education, health, and social sectors, as well as partnerships with technology providers and development actors.
The collaboration between UN agencies and national governments was highlighted as a key driver in supporting countries to strengthen data systems, invest in digital infrastructure, and implement evidence-based policies.
A Roadmap for the Future
The event concluded with a call to accelerate investments in digital transformation and data systems.
As the region navigates complex and evolving challenges, one message resonated strongly: leveraging data and technology is essential to building inclusive, resilient, and future-ready education systems.
