On 16 September 2026, a significant step was taken in the pursuit of gender-transformative education across the African continent. FAWE Africa engaged with the African Development Bank (AfDB) in a strategic dialogue that explored collaboration on a range of critical areas, including gender-transformative education, STEM, TVET, disability inclusion and school-to-work transitions. The meeting represented a powerful convergence of vision and purpose, as two influential institutions sought to align their efforts in creating sustainable opportunities for African girls and women.
The conversation identified opportunities to strengthen gender-responsive TVET, expand pathways to internships and employment, build private-sector partnerships, advance evidence-informed policy, and support women entering traditionally male-dominated professions. Each of these areas represented a critical lever for change, and together they formed a comprehensive approach to addressing the systemic barriers that continued to limit the potential of women and girls across the continent.
The dialogue underscored a shared understanding that investing in girls’ education was not only a matter of equity but a strategic imperative for Africa’s development. By equipping young women with the skills, knowledge and opportunities they needed to succeed in the workforce, both institutions recognised that they could unlock a wave of innovation, productivity and leadership that would benefit entire communities and nations.
The next step was clear: to identify priority countries and institutions and develop a concrete, scalable initiative that could create sustainable impact across Africa. This commitment to action-oriented collaboration reflected the seriousness with which both institutions approached the challenge. It was not enough to discuss possibilities; the goal was to build something tangible that would transform lives and communities.
The engagement between FAWE Africa and the AfDB represented a powerful example of what could be achieved when institutions united around a common purpose. It demonstrated that the complex challenges facing Africa’s education and skills development systems required collaborative, multi-sectoral approaches that brought together the expertise, resources and networks of diverse partners.
Together, FAWE Africa and the African Development Bank could create more opportunities for African girls and women to learn, transition, lead and thrive. This was the shared vision that guided the conversation and would continue to guide the partnership in the months and years ahead.
The engagement served as a reminder that the work of advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment was not a solitary endeavour. It required sustained collaboration, a willingness to learn from one another, and a steadfast commitment to placing the needs and aspirations of women and girls at the centre of every decision.
As FAWE Africa and the AfDB moved forward with their discussions, the promise of a transformative partnership loomed large. It was a promise built on shared values, mutual respect and a profound understanding that Africa’s future depended on the full participation of all its people—women and men alike.