Let's Talk Education Africa

In this episode, Aml speaks with Jane Clayson Johnson and Brian Ashton, president of BYU Pathway Worldwide, together with a Ghanaian student, Benjamin Kwesi Ahialorxo, whose life has been directly transformed by the program. BYU Pathway's efforts have provided thousands of students in Africa with greater access to higher education, making it more affordable and closely linked to real opportunities for growth and employment.

The conversation weaves through the vision behind the program, how it sustains its low-cost model, its growing footprint across Africa, and the global connection between education and employment. This episode reflects how meaningful access to education can reshape futures, expand possibilities, and create lasting impact across communities.

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Evelyne Keomian-Wood, founder of the Karat School Project. Evelyne’s early experiences with hunger, poverty, and limited access to learning shaped her belief that education can break cycles of poverty, a belief that has led her to establish the Karat School Project.

The conversation highlights the key barriers many children still face in accessing education, particularly in communities where deeply rooted beliefs often see girls being prepared for marriage and motherhood rather than the classroom. Evelyne breaks down the Karat School Project’s mission to change that narrative, running a full-time education center for several years that equips students with the supplies, support, and nurturing environment they need to learn and thrive.

From children living in extreme poverty to those working on the streets or at risk of early marriage, the program focuses on those most often left out of the education system. At its core, the work goes beyond simply getting children into school but aims to instill a lifelong love for learning.

Imagine a child in a classroom, bright, curious, and full of ideas. But every time words dance on the page, they twist into shapes that don’t make sense. The teacher thinks the child isn’t trying hard enough, and report cards carry painful labels that stick for years. Yet beneath all that, the child isn’t slow. The child isn’t incapable. The child simply learns differently.

In this episode, Aml speaks with Rosaline Abigail Kyere-Nartey, founder and executive director of the Africa Dyslexia Organization, about how her late discovery of dyslexia propelled her into building one of Africa’s leading movements for learning-difference awareness and support.

Rosaline shares how her frustration as a misunderstood learner became the seed for an organization now driving awareness, teacher training, policy advocacy, and research around learning differences, particularly dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, and dyspraxia. She also reflects on the Africa Dyslexia Conference and why so many learners with extraordinary abilities continue to be overlooked.

Africa is losing countless brilliant minds, not to lack of ability, but to lack of understanding. And changing that begins with awareness, compassion, and systems that recognize every learner’s potential. This conversation is a reminder that talent is everywhere, but understanding and support are what allow it to thrive.

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Mr. Modern Karema, the Uganda Country Director for STiR Education, about the organization’s mission to help teachers thrive and transform learning outcomes. The conversation explores STiR Education’s efforts in strengthening education systems by building the capacity of government structures rather than creating parallel ones and helping school leaders, district offices, and national agencies work together more effectively.

A central focus of the conversation is on teacher motivation, which STiR approaches through intrinsic drivers: autonomy, mastery, and purpose. Mr. Modern reflects on what it takes for teachers to genuinely enjoy teaching, what “love for teaching” looks like in practice, and how non-financial motivation strategies can lead to more empowered, learner-centred classrooms.

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Lazarus Muthenya, Programmes Manager at Edutab Africa, a Kenyan EdTech organization making digital learning accessible to offline communities across Kenya and beyond.

Lazarus takes us inside Edutab’s mission and the pillars that drive their work: Digital Learning Solutions, Teacher Professional Development, STEAM education, and the African Children’s Stories podcast which promotes literacy and fosters a culture of learning across Africa. He discusses the critical need for reaching offline learners, how Edutab aligns its content with national standards, and the innovative ways they track learning outcomes even in low-connectivity environments.

The conversation also explores the lessons learned, challenges faced, and innovations shaping Edutab’s journey to deliver quality, inclusive learning experiences.

Education technology (EdTech) is widely recognized for its potential to strengthen access, improve quality, and bridge gaps in Africa’s education systems. Yet, the expectations of EdTech have not always matched the reality on the ground. Uncertainties linger around access, sustainability, equity, and whether technology is truly transforming learning outcomes for African students.

In this episode, Senyo speaks with John Kimotho, Head of Office for Africa at the Spix Foundation, EdTech consultant with the World Bank Group and AUDA-NEPAD, and former Director of Educational Media at Kenya’s Ministry of Education. With over 42 years of experience in education technology, John has led landmark initiatives, including the deployment of technology in more than 23,000 schools across Kenya, and has worked with the UN and other partners to pioneer EdTech solutions across the continent.

The conversation answers key questions: How can we ensure the quality of digital learning content matches the scale of access? What financing models can sustain EdTech deployment without burdening families or governments? And importantly, how do we prevent technology from widening existing inequalities in education?

John also shares reflections on the opportunities, challenges, and future of EdTech in Africa.

What began as a simple high school project has, over the past two decades, grown into a transformative force for education, health, and community development. Julie-Anne and three friends launched the African Education Program (AEP) with nothing more than books, computers, and a desire to make a meaningful connection with disadvantaged youth in Kafue, Zambia. Over the years, their work has been shaped by the voices and challenges of young people and the community, gradually evolving into an organization that now unlocks potential of African youth and adults by building community-led organizations focused on quality education, health, and community development.

In this episode, Aml speaks with Julie-Ann Savarit-Cosenza, Co-Founder and Executive Director of AEP, about the organization’s transformation over the years, including the creation of their flagship Learning and Leadership Center, which provides a safe space for young people to learn, lead, and thrive. The conversation dives into AEP’s mission to nurture changemakers, the partnerships that have strengthened their impact, and the ways they measure social transformation of the program, from education and reproductive health outcomes to economic empowerment for women and inclusion for children with disabilities. 

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on an upcoming event transforming how African educators connect, collaborate, and champion education rooted in African realities- The AfricanISE Virtual Conference. Created to fill the gap for a dedicated space centering African voices and issues in education, this gathering aims to inspire a renewed sense of urgency and purpose among educators across the continent.

Senyo speaks with Kwame Sarfo-Mensah, founder of Identity Talk Consulting, whose work rests on three pillars: culturally responsive teaching, identity-affirming education, and anti-bias, anti-racist practices to develop K-12 teachers into identity-affirming educators. Kwame shares his journey from classroom teacher to global consultant, and the ideas behind his newest book, Learn to Relearn: Supporting Identity in Culturally Affirming Classroom", which challenges educators to dismantle systemic biases and embrace inclusive, decolonized teaching practices. He also offers insights into the five strands shaping the conference’s agenda, promising conversations that will equip educators to reimagine learning for African contexts.

Date 📅: Saturday, 6th September, 2025

Register here: https://lnkd.in/dFkW4Tff

In this episode, Senyo speaks with Lawrence Boakye Dankwah, Head of Education Programs at EduSpots, an organization reshaping education through a community-led model that centers local leadership and ownership. EduSpots began with the simple idea of “reading spots” and has since evolved into a dynamic network of over 50 community owned learning spaces, known as “Spots,” spread across Ghana and beyond. At the heart of EduSpots’ approach is a belief in the power of communities to drive their own change when equipped with the right tools and trust.

Lawrence unpacks how EduSpots decentralizes education from the traditional classroom model, creating spaces where learning is co-created by the community. He shares insights into flagship initiatives like the Ignite Programme, and the Catalyse Leadership Programme- all designed to cultivate local agency and innovation. He also reflects on the organization’s growing impact and the challenges and opportunities involved in scaling a truly community-owned model.

“If you educate a woman, you educate a whole nation.” - Dr. James Kwegyir Aggrey

Girls’ education remains one of the most powerful tools for transforming societies across Africa. Educated girls are more likely to become empowered women who uplift their families, communities, and nations. Yet, barriers such as poverty, gender norms, and disability continue to limit access for many girls across the continent. From rural villages to urban centers, grassroots organizations and advocates are working tirelessly to break these barriers and ensure that no girl is left behind.

In this episode, Aml speaks with Elizabeth Patterson, a social entrepreneur and educator who founded the Girls Education Initiative of Ghana (GEIG). With a mission rooted in equity and empowerment, GEIG has spent over a decade providing academic and financial support to girls, especially those with special needs or disabilities in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. Elizabeth and her team share GEIG’s inspiring founding story, the evolution of their community-centered approach, and heartwarming impact stories that showcase the power of inclusive education.