GPE KIX Champions Homegrown Data Solutions at 2025 ADEA Triennale

Reinforcing African-led innovations in transforming education management systems, the Global Partnership for Education Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (GPE KIX), a joint endeavour with the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and its partners participated in the 2025 ADEA Triennale, held from October 29 to 31, in Accra, Ghana. Organised by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) and Ghana's Ministry of Education, the three-day gathering brought together ministers of education, senior government officials, educators, development partners, researchers, academics, private sector representatives, and African and international thought leaders.

Under the theme, "Strengthening the resilience of Africa's educational systems: advancing towards ending learning poverty by 2035 with a well-educated and skilled workforce for the continent and beyond," GPE KIX partners representatives from The Gambia, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Uganda, Togo, and Zambia delivered presentations and moderated panels on improving foundational learning, building evidence-based education systems, inclusive education at the intersection of gender and climate adaptation, and translating policies into effective systems.

"The sessions showcased a holistic approach to transforming education, highlighting that lasting change depends not only on investments and innovations but also on a fundamental overhaul of how education systems are structured, managed, and maintained," says Hamidou Boukary, Program Specialist at IDRC's West and Central Africa office in Dakar, Senegal.

"GPE KIX country representatives and project teams were exposed to developing renewed regional, continental, and global policy frameworks, initiatives and commitments," added Boukary.

Transforming Data Systems from Repositories to Strategic Tools

During the introduction of the side event on how data systems facilitate countries' transition from policy to action, Boukary highlighted the role of the GPE KIX applied research portfolio. This work supports the shift from traditional education management information systems, EMIS 1.0, to EMIS 2.0, which delivers relevant and timely data. EMIS 2.0 also enhances understanding of the factors influencing a supportive institutional environment and organizational culture, leading to better use of data for governance and management in GPE partner countries.

Hon. Thomas Momo Parker of Liberia and Lesotho’s Dr. Makhube Ralenkoane shared insights on how the GPE KIX Africa 19 Hub, in collaboration with the African Union Pan-African Institute of Education for Development (AU-IPED), is helping countries strengthen their EMIS systems through mutual learning.

A panel moderated by Seedy Ahmed Jallow, Systems Analyst in the EMIS Unit at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in The Gambia, explored how African countries are leveraging Education Management Information Systems (EMIS), real-time dashboards, and localised data to enhance planning, accountability, and learning outcomes.

Jallow posed a critical question to participants during the panel: "Despite all the discussions about innovations and developments, countries are still treated merely as data repositories. As ministries of education, partners, and development agencies, how can we change that? How can we ensure that we no longer view EMIS as just a report, but as a tool for strategic decision-making? We should transform it into a tool that can guide us towards all the opportunities currently listed in our policies."

Addressing Jallow's questions, Dr. Cleophus Mugenyi, Commissioner, Basic Education from the Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda emphasized the importance of institutional culture in data use and the need to embed data systems within government structures instead of EMIS being viewed as a repository just for storing information rather than being used to achieve the vision. He also acknowledged how strengthening the culture of data use within our countries will not happen in just one or two years, but will take time.

Uganda is at the forefront in adapting the DHIS2 platform for the education sector. Supported by HISP Uganda through the GPE KIX projects "Empowering districts and schools with data" (HISP University of Oslo) and "Scaling up sub-national education data value chains in Sub-Saharan Africa" (APHRC), this tool enables real-time monitoring of pupil enrollment, teacher shortages, and school-based health initiatives, integrating sectors for more effective planning.

Building on the theme of data integration, Emmanuel Chola Mumba, ICT Manager at the Teaching Council of Zambia, along with Regan Matsiko from Uganda's Ministry of Education and Sports, and Richard Phiri, ICT Officer at Malawi's Teachers Council, presented a session on Teacher Management Information Systems (TMIS) aimed at supporting continuous professional development (CPD) and tracking teachers.

Phiri highlighted that with GPE KIX, the national ownership of the program has been very strong in Malawi. “The Ministry of Education and the Teachers Council of Malawi have fully adopted the TMIS and Teacher Tracking System as key national tools, he added. “There is strong collaboration among government departments, teacher training institutions, and stakeholders. These systems are now integrated into daily operations, showing Malawi's full commitment to maintaining and advancing the reforms initiated through KIX-supported initiatives."

African-Led Innovation in Data Management

The presentations at the 2025 ADEA Triennale demonstrated that African innovators, policymakers, and practitioners themselves are driving the transformation of education data systems in Africa. From The Gambia's strategic approach of data use, to Uganda's pioneering adaptation of DHIS2 and Malawi's model of national ownership in teacher management systems, these are homegrown solutions rooted in local realities and sustained by strong institutional commitment.

With approximately 500 participants and growing interest from partners including ADEA, the conference reinforced that GPE KIX serves as a catalyst and partner—not an external implementer—supporting African countries as they build the data infrastructure and culture necessary for evidence-based educational transformation.

Photo Collage Caption: Beyond the conference sessions, the GPE KIX exhibition booth became a hub of engagement and exchange at the 2025 ADEA Triennale. Ministers of education and senior officials from across the continent visited to learn about GPE KIX initiatives, with some sharing how the partnership supports their countries in addressing key education system challenges, from strengthening data systems to building resilience and improving foundational learning.

About ADEA Triennale 2025

The Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) serves as a critical voice and a forum for policy dialogue on education in Africa. Hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, ADEA envisions a "high-quality African education and training geared towards the promotion of critical skills for accelerated and sustainable development in Africa." We act as catalysts in promoting innovative policies and practices by pooling ideas, experiences, learning, and knowledge. The anticipated impact of ADEA's work is that African countries will be empowered to transform schooling into learning, thereby contributing to Africa's sustainable social and economic transformation.