2nd AU Pan-African Conference on Girls’ and Women’s Education Opens in Burundi

The Second African Union Pan-African Conference on Girls' and Women's Education (AU PANCOGEd 2) has officially opened in Bujumbura, Burundi, bringing together Ministers, policymakers, development partners, education experts, youth representatives, traditional and religious and stakeholders championing girls and women's education from across the continent to accelerate progress toward inclusive, equitable, and quality education in Africa. The conference runs from 2nd - 4th July 2026 under the theme, "Prioritising Girls' and Women's Education: Develop their skills and accelerate learning and training Opportunities".

Convened by the African Union Commission's Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI) through its specialised and technical Institution, the African Union International Centre for Girls and Women's Education in Africa (AU CIEFFA), the conference is hosted by the Government of the Republic of Burundi through the Ministry of National Education and Scientific Research. The gathering provides a strategic platform for sharing experiences, strengthening partnerships, and advancing innovative solutions aimed at improving educational outcomes, particularly for girls and young women.

Opening the conference on behalf of the President of the Republic of Burundi, H.E. Prosper Bazombanza, Vice-President of the Republic of Burundi, reaffirmed the country's commitment to ensuring that girls not only access education but also remain and succeed in school. "In our country, Burundi, the Vision 'Emerging Burundi in 2040 and Developed Burundi in 2060' serves as a compass for the development of all sectors of national life, including education in general and the education of girls and women in particular. Every child must have access to school, and the government has a duty to provide them with quality education," he stated.

Representing the African Union Commission, H.E. Amb. Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, underscored the central role of girls' and women's education in achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063. "The conference bringing us together today is not just another meeting on education. It is a major political milestone for the future of Africa. Investing in girls' education means enabling millions of young African women to become teachers, scientists, judges, engineers, entrepreneurs, innovators, decision-makers, and leaders," she said.

Welcoming participants to Burundi, H.E. Prof. François Havyarimana, Minister of National Education and Scientific Research, highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing persistent barriers to education and ensuring that every child has access to quality learning opportunities.

Speaking on behalf of the World Bank Group, Mr. Babacar Sedikh Faye, Resident Representative in Burundi, emphasised that girls' education remains a priority area within the institution's development interventions, given its transformative impact on social and economic development.

The opening ceremony also featured remarks from key international partners. In a pre-recorded message, H.E. Amb. Stian Christensen, Permanent Representative of Norway to the African Union, reaffirmed Norway's continued commitment to advancing education and gender equality across Africa. Meanwhile, Ms. Violet Kenyana Kakyomya, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Burundi, highlighted the critical role of education in driving sustainable development, economic empowerment, and social transformation, while stressing the need for increased and sustainable financing for education.

A Platform for Action

Over the next three days, participants will engage in high-level policy dialogues, technical discussions, and knowledge-sharing sessions focused on key priorities, including educational access and retention, learning outcomes, digital transformation, gender-responsive education systems, and financing for education.

With over 400 in-person participants, the conference is expected to produce actionable recommendations and renewed commitments that will help accelerate progress toward educational equity, inclusion, and excellence across Africa.

AU PANCOGEd 2 is supported by the World Bank Group through the East Africa Girls' Empowerment and Resilience (EAGER) Project, the Norwegian Embassy to the African Union, the United Nations agencies among other development partners.

Learn more about AU PANCOGEd 2: https://aupancoged.org/

For further inquires, please contact:

Azwe Success Barbara Viof, Communications Officer | African Union International Centre for Girls & Women's Education in Africa | African Union Commission WhatsApp: +226 64 90 44 95 | E-mail: [email protected]| Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso