Dakar to Host Inaugural Yidan Prize Conference in Africa, Strengthening Educational Innovation and Development
From June 29 to July 1, 2026, Dakar will be the venue for the first Yidan Prize Conference in Africa, themed “Unleashing Africa’s potential: the role of education in a new era of development.” This significant event, organized under the auspices of the Ministry of National Education of Senegal, is co-convened by the Yidan Prize Foundation, the Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED), and the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA). The conference is expected to attract over 200 delegates, including ministers, researchers, practitioners, and funders from across Africa and beyond, all gathered to showcase innovative research and practices in education.
A Gathering to Accelerate Africa’s Education Agenda
The 2026 Yidan Prize Conference aims to build upon the growing momentum in enhancing learning, skills development, and systemic transformation across the continent. Education ministers from Senegal, The Gambia, and Ghana, along with representatives from Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, and the Chief Minister of Sierra Leone, will inaugurate the conference. They will share insights on leading educational change for development.
The Honorable Moustapha Mamba Guirassy, Minister of National Education in Senegal, expressed enthusiasm about hosting the conference. He noted that it serves as an opportunity to honor Mamadou Amadou Ly, a champion for Senegal, while also bringing together institutions that can assist in realizing the vision of Senegal as an educational hub in Africa.
Albert Nsengiyumva, Executive Secretary of ADEA, emphasized that the conference builds on previous dialogues aimed at advancing Africa’s educational priorities. He mentioned that it will provide a platform for collaboration among countries and institutions, fostering African-led solutions to shared educational challenges.
Language as a Bridge to Learning and Inclusion
A central focus of the conference will be foundational multilingual education, recognizing language as a crucial bridge to learning, identity, and dignity. Sessions will explore how the use of national languages can enhance learner engagement, build confidence, and create pathways to further education, employment, and civic participation.
Countries such as Senegal, The Gambia, and Mauritania have been making strides in multilingual education at the systems level, with support from ARED. Mamadou Amadou Ly, Executive Director of ARED and a 2025 Yidan Prize for Education Development Laureate, highlighted that ARED has worked for over 25 years to integrate national languages into educational frameworks. He expressed anticipation for sharing lessons at the conference that demonstrate how foundational multilingual learning can drive meaningful change.
Education at the Heart of a New Era of Development
The conference will underscore the pivotal role of education in fostering sustainable development across Africa. Dr. Charles CHEN Yidan, founder of the Yidan Prize, remarked that educational transformation is a collective effort that relies on mutual learning across sectors and borders. He noted that the Yidan Prize Foundation serves as a platform to highlight changemakers and impactful innovations, connecting people and ideas globally. The conference aims to position Africa as a driving force in its development while sharing its educational innovations with the world.
Supporting organizations for the conference include Echidna Giving, the Global Partnership for Education, Imaginable Futures, the International Education Funders Group, the Mastercard Foundation, and the UNESCO International Institute of Educational Planning.
For more information, visit the Yidan Prize Foundation.
About the Yidan Prize Foundation
The Yidan Prize Foundation is a global philanthropic organization dedicated to creating a better world through education. It supports innovative ideas and practices in education that have the potential to positively impact lives and society. The Yidan Prize is recognized as the highest accolade in education, honoring individuals or teams who have made significant contributions to educational theory and practice. The prize consists of two categories: the Yidan Prize for Education Research and the Yidan Prize for Education Development, each providing substantial funding and recognition to laureates.
About the Associates in Research and Education for Development (ARED)
Founded in 1990, ARED is a non-profit organization based in Dakar, Senegal, focused on promoting quality education rooted in national languages. ARED is committed to teacher training, capacity building, curriculum development, and the publication of educational materials in national languages. The organization aims to enhance foundational learning and promote local languages and cultures, contributing to more inclusive and effective education systems across Africa.
About the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA)
ADEA serves as a pan-African forum for policy dialogue and is a leading voice in African education. Hosted by the African Development Bank Group in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, ADEA empowers African countries to transform education into meaningful learning experiences. Its mission is to facilitate the transformation of education and training systems, promoting resilience and youth empowerment across the continent.
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Published on 2026-06-12 22:00:00 • By the Editorial Desk
