

2:00 pm EDT - 3:30 pm EDT
Past Event
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm EDT
1775 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, DC
20036
Human capital enables countries to harness skills, knowledge, and innovation to grow their economies and improve the well-being of their citizens. Over the past 25 years, countries in sub-Saharan Africa have made substantial progress in primary school access. Despite these gains, many young people who attend school are not acquiring the basic skills necessary to thrive in a diverse and changing labor market.
On April 19, the Center for Universal Education at Brookings and the World Bank co-hosted a presentation and panel discussion that focused on challenges and solutions in developing human capital. The event began with findings and insights from a new study, “Facing Forward: Schooling for Learning in Africa,” which examines how to improve learning outcomes in basic education in the region. Following the presentation, a panel of experts discussed the implications of the research for policy and practice.
After the discussion, the panelists took questions from the audience.
2:00 pm - 2:05 pm
2:05 pm - 2:25 pm
2:25 pm - 3:30 pm
Moderator
Panelist
Emily Gustafsson-Wright, Ema Eguchi, Elyse Painter, Victoria Arciniegas Gomez, Leydi Maldonado
June 30, 2025
Jennifer L. O’Donoghue, Christine Apiot Okudi, Ellen Chigwanda, Adefunke O. Ekine, Dasmine Kennedy, Joyce Kinyanjui, Pamhidzayi Berejena Mhongera, Sumbal Naveed, Mary Otieno, Jamila Razzaq, Atenea Rosado-Viurques, Nasrin Siddiqa, Tran Thi Ngoc Tran
June 30, 2025
Jennifer L. O’Donoghue
June 30, 2025