Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX) 2026

Malawi will host the third Africa Foundational Learning Exchange (FLEX 2026) from 15 to 17 July 2026 in Lilongwe, Malawi, under the theme "From commitment to results: Delivering foundational learning at scale."

Building on the first FLEX hosted by Sierra Leone in 2023 and the second by Rwanda in 2024, FLEX 2026 serves as the premier pan-African platform for education ministers and senior government officials to exchange knowledge and engage with technical and financial partners, civil society, researchers and local implementers on improving foundational learning outcomes. At FLEX 2024 in Kigali, 34 government representatives committed to ending learning poverty by 2035 through the FLEX2024 Declaration for Action. FLEX 2026 will track progress against those commitments and orient systems for delivery and impact at scale.

Objectives

FLEX 2026 will bring together governments and education actors across the continent to:

• Share progress on implementing foundational learning commitments since FLEX 2024 and the 2025 ADEA Triennale;
• Showcase successful system reforms, programme design and implementation quality backed by strong data, research and evidence;
• Reflect on modalities to improve implementation and seize opportunities for adaptation at scale;
• Strengthen accountability for improving classroom instruction and learning outcomes;
• Foster new partnerships and cross-country technical exchange;
• Produce an outcome document, communiqué, and youth call to action.

Thematic areas

Discussions will span a range of foundational learning themes, including data for action and accountability, learning assessment systems, education technology and artificial intelligence, early childhood education, socio-emotional learning, classroom instruction and pedagogy, teacher professional development, school leadership, community engagement and sustainable funding models.

Format

The three-day convening will combine presentations, ministerial roundtables, plenary panels, technical deep dives, and formal and informal dialogue:

• Day 1: Technical exchange sessions on key thematic areas of foundational learning
• Day 2: Official opening, Ministerial Roundtable and high-level technical exchange sessions
• Day 3: School visits, report-back sessions, joint resolutions and closing

Participants

The event will bring together 300-500 participants, including Ministers of Education, senior government officials, international organizations, philanthropic partners, and civil society organizations such as teacher unions, parents’ associations, and youth education advocates and local implementing partners.

Register and learn more about the event here.