Education systems are stronger when decisions are informed by research that reflects the priorities, experiences and realities of the people they serve.
HERI Africa will join the 2nd EAC Regional Conference on Education in Nairobi from 25–28 August 2026, sharing its vision for a stronger African education research ecosystem and contributing to regional conversations on how research can better inform education policy and practice.
The conference will bring together policymakers, educators, researchers, development partners, civil society, students, industry stakeholders and other actors from across the East African Community and beyond. Under the theme, “Transforming Education in East Africa: From Commitments to Impact, Fostering Resilience and Future-Ready Systems for Sustainable Development,” the conference will explore how education systems can respond to changing needs and deliver better outcomes for learners and communities.
Key areas of discussion will include foundational learning, teacher capacity, inclusive education, education financing and governance, data-driven decision-making, research and knowledge generation, partnerships, and the role of higher education in regional transformation.
Strengthening African-led education research
Harnessing Education Research for Impact in Africa (HERI Africa) was launched in February 2026 with an ambition to strengthen the education research ecosystem across Africa and create stronger conditions for African researchers and institutions to generate and use evidence that responds to the continent’s priorities.
African researchers and institutions play an important role in shaping the knowledge that informs education policy and practice. HERI Africa is working to support this contribution by strengthening the systems, partnerships and opportunities that enable African education research to grow and have greater influence.
The initiative is supporting governments and other national stakeholders in defining education research priorities, strengthening opportunities for the sustainable financing of research, and establishing thematic Research Chairs in African universities.
These efforts are laying the foundations for a stronger and more connected education research ecosystem, where researchers, institutions, policymakers and other stakeholders can work together to generate evidence that responds to education priorities and contributes to better decisions.
HERI Africa has set an ambitious long-term goal of increasing Africa’s share of global education research output from around 3% to 30% by 2050. Reaching this ambition will require sustained investment, stronger institutions, supportive policies and collaboration across the education research ecosystem.
Connecting research, policy and practice
Strong education systems are built when research, policy and practice inform one another.
When researchers, governments, universities, policymakers, practitioners, communities and funders are connected, research can better reflect real education priorities and contribute to decisions that improve outcomes for learners and communities.
The EAC Regional Conference provides an opportunity to strengthen these connections. HERI Africa will engage with stakeholders from across the region to exchange experiences, learn from diverse perspectives, explore opportunities for collaboration, and contribute to conversations on how education research can support stronger education systems.
The conference also provides an opportunity to connect HERI Africa’s emerging work with regional priorities and to explore how stronger education research ecosystems can support evidence-informed decision-making across East Africa and the wider continent.
Visit the HERI Africa booth
Conference participants are invited to visit the HERI Africa booth to learn more about the initiative, its Research Chairs and its approach to strengthening African education research ecosystems.
Researchers, policymakers, university leaders, education practitioners, development partners and others interested in education research are invited to connect with the HERI Africa team, exchange ideas and explore opportunities to engage with the initiative.
HERI Africa is building towards a stronger role for African researchers and institutions in generating the evidence that informs education decisions. The EAC Regional Conference is an opportunity to be part of that conversation and to build the relationships needed to strengthen education research across the region and the continent.