EAC Pushes One Education System to Unlock Regional Skills and Jobs

Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development Beatrice Askul addresses delegates during the 2nd EAC Regional Education Conference in Nairobi on Aug. 26, 2026.

East African Community (EAC) Partner States have renewed efforts to harmonise education systems, qualifications and skills to enhance learning, employment and movement of students and workers across the region.

The conference has attracted over 600 delegates from the eight EAC Partner States, who are meeting in Nairobi to review progress made since the inaugural conference held in Arusha, Tanzania, in 2024, and translate previous commitments into measurable results.

Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development Beatrice Askul Moe, representing President William Ruto at the conference, said education remains a critical pillar of regional integration and human resource development.

“Education is a very big part of human resource development, and we need to move together,” said Moe, noting that Partner States were sharing experiences and identifying ways of integrating their national education systems.

She said the conference would provide an opportunity for countries to address barriers that prevent learners from accessing education across borders while embracing innovation and strengthening learning systems.

Principal Secretary for Higher Education Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, representing Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migos Ogamba, said the conference was also reviewing commitments made two years ago, including increased investment in education, equity and improved access for marginalised groups, refugees and girls.

“The emphasis is how can we collectively move from this commitment to impact so that together we can transform education in the East African community,” she said.

EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Infrastructure, Productive, Social and Political Sectors Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth said harmonisation of education was central to achieving deeper regional integration.

He said the EAC Common Education Area promotes mobility of students, teachers and researchers, as well as harmonisation of education systems and curricula to facilitate employment mobility.

“For example, a student from maybe the University of Nairobi can go to the University of Dar es Salaam for a semester, sit for an exam, and get his or her credit transferred back to the University of Nairobi,” said Ariik.

Moe said the region had also made progress in addressing the mutual recognition of academic qualifications, which she said would make it easier for young East Africans to study and work across Partner States.

The conference is also focusing on bridging skills gaps by strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and linking education more closely with industry.

Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, ASALs and Regional Development Beatrice Askul visits exhibition booths during the 2nd EAC Regional Education Conference in Nairobi on Aug. 26, 2026.

A Tanzanian education official said the country had introduced reforms to increase technical and vocational pathways at secondary level and expand vocational training colleges to give young people skills that respond directly to labour-market needs.

The official said Tanzania was also strengthening collaboration between education institutions and industry to ensure curricula reflect skills demanded by employers.

Delegates are further discussing inclusive education, particularly for learners with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. South Sudan’s Minister for Higher Education, Science and Technology said Partner States were committed to ensuring disadvantaged learners benefit from regional education programmes.

Kenya, meanwhile, has prioritised inclusive education through additional capitation for learners with special needs and support from the Kenya Institute of Special Education, including the production and distribution of assistive devices.

The four-day conference, running under the theme “Transforming Education in East Africa: From Commitments to Impact, Fostering Resilience and Future-Ready Systems for Sustainable Development,” is expected to produce practical recommendations and implementation actions.

The outcomes will also support regional efforts to improve education financing, governance, data use, learning outcomes and pathways from education and training to employment and entrepreneurship.

The conference brings together governments, academia, educators, students, youth representatives, industry, civil society and development partners to strengthen cooperation and build education systems capable of responding to technological change, labour-market demands and other emerging challenges.