Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) improves the linkages between research, policy, and practice. It
generates contextualized and actionable evidence that are critical to making the right policy and implementing effective programs on the continent. ESSA's model is anchored on building local partnerships for evidence generation, capacity strengthening and creating communities of practice for learning and collaboration.
Why We Invested
The current research funding ecosystem is creating an imbalance of power that favors Western institutions and is derived in part from the perpetuation of inequities in the aid space. Underpinning these inequities are policies, practices and norms that prevent African research facilities from emerging and growing, and ultimately lock out African knowledge and scholarship. Our investment in ESSA will help them create their own research pathways and hone their role in elevating and advocating for African researchers on the continent. Our hope is that we eventually see more open, high-quality and locally led research conducted within a strong ecosystem that equips researchers with the necessary conditions to thrive.
Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA) is working to connect data and evidence on education from Africa with those who have the power to improve the system, including educators, policy-makers and young people themselves. We work across the student journey, looking at issues of access, quality and transition to work. We also support researchers working on education, leveraging the power of Africa’s universities and colleges to improve outcomes for young people at all levels of education.
Dr. Lucy Heady, CEO, Education Sub Saharan Africa