Several African countries are experiencing economic growth and political stability, giving rise to cautious optimism about the possibilities of sustained progress in a climate of increasing transparency, democratization, reduced conflicts and enhanced opportunities for advancement. These prospects are directly linked to Africa’s higher education sector, as a strong, dynamic and diversified higher education is central to the economic and political changes.  

With the fastest-growing rates of higher education enrollment in the world, Africa’s universities have the potential to become the continent’s primary development tool. Yet there are too few candidates to meet the growing demand for professors and many who do enter the field are ill prepared. At the same time, the continent’s initial cohort of post-independence academics is fast reaching retirement age. Consequently, Africa’s institutions of higher learning face a severe staffing crisis that threatens social and economic progress.  

The Higher Education and Libraries in Africa Program will support a limited number of core institutions and projects working to strengthen the human capital of selected countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The Program builds on a decade-long investment in the transformation of African universities and libraries, supported by the Corporation and other funders through a Partnership for Higher Education in Africa. 

To achieve this goal, the Higher Education and Libraries Program focuses on: