→ Updated on 16 July 2026 at 17:30
This high-level agenda shows how sessions are currently scheduled. Each room will have English, French and Portuguese interpreters. All sessions are scheduled in Lilongwe Time (CAT, UTC+2).
Room 1 = Mvuu — Room 2 = Njobvu — Room 3 = Mbidzi — Room 4 = (Nthiwatiwa + Phwiti + Mpheta) — Room 5 = (Nkhanga + Nkhwali) — Main Hall = (Mvuu + Njobvu + Mbidzi)
→ Click on the title of session to see more details
15 July 2026
All Day
BICC
Delegate check-in, badge collection & information desk continue.
All Day
BICC
Delegate check-in, badge collection & information desk continue.
07:00 – 08:15
Room 5
ADEA ESDC / AFLAI Ministerial breakfast (Invite only)
07:00 – 08:15
Room 5
ADEA ESDC / AFLAI Ministerial breakfast (Invite only)
Location: Conference Room 5 (Nkhanga + Nkhwali)
08:00 – 08:30
Room 2
Opening & welcome remarks
08:00 – 08:30
Room 2
Opening & welcome remarks
Location: Conference Room 2 (Njobvu)
Items:
- Welcome from ADEA
- Welcome from the Government of Malawi
- Orientation to FLEX2026.
08:30 – 10:30
Room 1
SESSION 1A – Sub-theme 1 – A new pathway for progress on foundational learning data: Working in partnership to strengthen country systems
08:30 – 10:30
Room 1
SESSION 1A – Sub-theme 1 – A new pathway for progress on foundational learning data: Working in partnership to strengthen country systems
Location: Conference Room 1 (Mvuu)
Speakers:
- Hon. Conrad Sackey — Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone
- Adia Umulisa— Head of Education Sector Planning and Monitoring & Evaluation at the Ministry of Education, Rwanda
- Clement Osei Antwi — Deputy Director - Learning Assessment, Policy and Implementation, Ministry of Education
- Papa Ndiaga Diome — Head of the Division of Planning and Monitoring & Evaluation, Ministry of National Education, Senegal
- Dr David Njengere — CEO, Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC)
- Samuel Mwambura — Assistant Director for Educational Assessment Resource Centre, Kenya National Examinations Council
- Yanhong Zhang — Head of Foresight and Innovation, UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
- Ramya Vivekanandan — Senior Education Specialist, Global Partnership for Education (GPE)
- Clio Dintilhac — Senior Program Officer, Global Education, Gates Foundation
- Santos Akhilele — Senior Associate, Human Capital Africa (HCA) (Moderator / Discussant)
- Emily Woolf — Senior Education Adviser, Team lead Education Policy and Global Funds, FCDO (Moderator)
08:30 – 10:30
Room 2
SESSION 2A – Sub-theme 2 – Whole-System Reform: Aligning Curriculum, Structured Pedagogy and Remediation at National Scale
08:30 – 10:30
Room 2
SESSION 2A – Sub-theme 2 – Whole-System Reform: Aligning Curriculum, Structured Pedagogy and Remediation at National Scale
Location: Conference Room 2 (Njobvu)
Speakers:
- Lindiwe Chide — Director of Quality Assurance Services, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Malawi
- Prof. Jeannette Bayisenge — Coordinator of the Foundational Learning Delivery Unit, Ministry of Education, Rwanda
- Dr. Flora Mutezigaju — Deputy Director General, Rwanda Basic Education Board
- Doukoure Naminata Nurudine — Directorate of Planning and Continuing Education/Training, Ministry of National Education, Literacy and Technical Education, Côte d’Ivoire
- Dr Jonathan Stern – Deputy Director of Global Education, Gates Foundation
08:30 – 10:30
Room 3
SESSION 3A – Sub-theme 3 – Strengthening School Leadership for Foundational Learning in Africa
08:30 – 10:30
Room 3
SESSION 3A – Sub-theme 3 – Strengthening School Leadership for Foundational Learning in Africa
Location: Conference Room 3 (Mbidzi)
Speakers:
- Hon. Conrad Sackey — Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone
- Mihretkirstos Tamru — Senior Expert in Research, Data and Project Monitoring for Gender, Ministry of Education, Ethiopia
- Olicah Kaira — Chief Director for Primary, Secondary and Non-Formal Education, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Zimbabwe
- Felix Ngoma —Director of Primary Education, Ministry of Education, Zambia
- Dr. Maurice Odondo — Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI)
- Chantal Kabanda Dusabe — Technical Lead, African Centre for School Leadership (ACSL)
- Josephine Kiyenje — Senior Project Lead for the Spotlight series at the GEM Report
- Tuamanaia Foimapafisi — Research Specialist, UNICEF Innocenti
- Amosi Chipasi — Deputy Director, PEAS, Zambia
- Leila Abdullahi — Director of Research and Programme Delivery, Africa Centre for School Leadership
- Martín Benavides— Director of IIEP-UNESCO
08:30 – 10:30
Room 4
SESSION 4A – Sub-theme 4 – From Standards to Classrooms: Governing ECE at Scale
08:30 – 10:30
Room 4
SESSION 4A – Sub-theme 4 – From Standards to Classrooms: Governing ECE at Scale
Location: Conference Room 4 (Nthiwatiwa + Phwiti + Mpheta)
Speakers:
- Dr. Samuel Awuku — Coordinator and Principal Advisor, NECRI (Reforms) Secretariat, Ghana
- Martha Odundo — Head of Directorate for ECDE, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Doreen Ankunda — Ministry of Education and Sports, Directorate of Education Standards, Uganda
- Karen Shormeh Sai — Country Director, Jacobs Foundation Ghana
- Tony Dogbe — CEO, Sabre Education Ghana
- Christin McConnell — Chief of Education, UNICEF Ghana (Moderator)
10:30 – 11:00
Health break – Refreshments & Networking
10:30 – 11:00
Health break – Refreshments & Networking
11:00 – 13:00
Room 1
SESSION 1B – Sub-theme 1 – ADEA–Hempel & AFLAI: What happens to the data generated? Country experiences
11:00 – 13:00
Room 1
SESSION 1B – Sub-theme 1 – ADEA–Hempel & AFLAI: What happens to the data generated? Country experiences
Location: Conference Room 1 (Mvuu)
Speakers:
- Hon. Sendra Nirina Rajaonarison — Minister of National Education, Madagascar
- Hon. Dr. Koffi N'Guessan — Minister of National Education, Literacy, and Technical Education of Côte d'Ivoire (tentative)
- Hon. Phyllis Chemutai — Minister of State for Primary Education, Uganda
- Hon. Dr. Clement Abas Apaak — Deputy Minister of Education, Ghana
- Felix Ngoma —Director of Primary Education, Ministry of Education, Zambia
- Stephen Barongo — Head of the Directorate of Primary Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Martin Kungania — Foundational Learning Focal Officer, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Dr. Cecilia Esinam Eyaa Agbeh — Deputy Registrar, National Teaching Council, MoE, Ghana
- Hanitriniaina Niry Rakotomalala — Secretary General of the Malagasy National Commission for UNESCO/Ministry of National Education, Madagascar
- Komenan Pierre — Technical level Representative, Cote d'Ivoire (tentative)
- Abbey Bbosa Musoke — Senior Education Officer, Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda
- Mervis Makayi — Principal Education Officer, Ministry of Education, Zambia
- Anders Holm — CEO, Hempel Foundation
- Dr. Muna Ngenda — Deputy Director, Elimu-Soko (Moderator)
- Clio Dintilhac — Senior Program Officer, Global Education, Gates Foundation
- TBC — ADEA (tentative) (Moderator)
11:00 – 13:00
Room 2
SESSION 2B – Sub-theme 2 – FAWE & AccessEnable: What Reaches the Child — Inclusive Pedagogy, Quality Materials and Evidence That Scales
11:00 – 13:00
Room 2
SESSION 2B – Sub-theme 2 – FAWE & AccessEnable: What Reaches the Child — Inclusive Pedagogy, Quality Materials and Evidence That Scales
Location: Conference Room 2 (Njobvu)
Speakers:
- Reginald George Quartey — Director for the Curriculum Development Directorate, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NaCCA), Ghana
- TBC — Ministry of Education, Malawi / Uganda (tentative)
- Dr. Martha Muhwezi — Executive Director – Forum For Educational Women Educationists (FAWE) Africa
- Catherine Salina Asego — Senior Advocacy and Partnerships Officer, Forum For Educational Women Educationists (FAWE) Africa
- Josephine Kiyenje — Senior Project Lead for the Spotlight series at the GEM Report
- Wesley Chabwera — Executive Director, Forum For Educational Women Educationists (FAWE) Malawi
- Samuel Munana — Inclusive Education Specialist, AccessEnable
- Ezekiel Kumwenda — Executive Director, Malawi Union of the Blind
11:00 – 13:00
Room 3
SESSION 3B – Sub-theme 3 – Africanising coaching, school-based TPD and communities of learning: transformative approaches that shift the needle in learning approaches and outcomes
11:00 – 13:00
Room 3
SESSION 3B – Sub-theme 3 – Africanising coaching, school-based TPD and communities of learning: transformative approaches that shift the needle in learning approaches and outcomes
Location: Conference Room 3 (Mbidzi)
Speakers:
- Her Excellency Rajaonarison Sendra Nirina — Minister of National Education, Madagascar
- Hanitriniaina Niry Rakotomalala — Secretary General of the Malagasy National Commission for UNESCO/Ministry of National Education, Madagascar
- Ally Swalehe — Senior Education Officer at the President's Office, Regional Administration and Local Government, Government of United Republic of Tanzania
- Ng’ang’a Kibandi — Partnerships and Advocacy Director, Dignitas Project
- Dr. Armani Karisa — Associate Research Scientist, African Population & Health Research Centre (APHRC) (Moderator)
- Nephitaly Abel Benister — Action Research Manager, Creative Centre for Community Mobilisation (CRECCOM) (Moderator)
11:00 – 13:00
Room 4
SESSION 4B – Sub-theme 4 – Speak Up Africa and FLIGHT: Proven Advocacy Strategies to Unlock Financing for Foundational Learning
11:00 – 13:00
Room 4
SESSION 4B – Sub-theme 4 – Speak Up Africa and FLIGHT: Proven Advocacy Strategies to Unlock Financing for Foundational Learning
Location: Conference Room 4 (Nthiwatiwa + Phwiti + Mpheta)
Speakers:
- Olicah Kaira – Chief Director, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Zimbabwe
- Papa Ndiaga Diome – Head of the Division of Planning and Monitoring & Evaluation, Ministry of National Education, Senegal
- Almaret du Toit — Chief Education Specialist, Western Cape, South Africa
- Janice Williams – Senior Manager, FLN Hub
- Dr. Joan Oviawe – Executive Director, FLIGHT
- Tom Pugh – Principal, Human Development Team, Genesis Analytics
- Clio Dintilhac — Senior Program Officer, Global Education, Gates Foundation
- Rugare Ncube – Chief Operating Officer, Federer Foundation
- Emmanuel Manyasa – Executive Director, Usawa Agenda
- Kathlyn Pattillo — Director, Lighthouse Coalition at Global Schools Forum
- Beth Gum — Senior Policy and Advocacy Adviser, International Parliamentary Network for Education (IPNEd)
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch break
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch break
- Buffet lunch.
- FLOAT / FLC / FLIGHT closed-door lunch meeting 12:30–14:00 (BICC – Room TBC)
14:00 – 16:00
Room 1
SESSION 1C – Sub-theme 1 – Forging the path: from policies to classrooms, making learning assessment data count for children’s learning outcomes
14:00 – 16:00
Room 1
SESSION 1C – Sub-theme 1 – Forging the path: from policies to classrooms, making learning assessment data count for children’s learning outcomes
Location: Conference Room 1 (Mvuu)
Fireside chat:
- Hon. Joseph Nsengimana — Minister of Education for Rwanda for the fireside chat
Speakers:
- Patrine Banda — Ministry of Education, Zambia
- Prof. Madougou Saidou — Director of the African Union Department of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation (ESTI), African Union Commission
- Dr. Amany El-Far — Technical Education representative, Ministry of Education, Egypt & General Manager of Community Education & Nile Schools at MOETE
- Sanjay Kumar — Former Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Government of India
- Anders Holm — CEO, Hempel Foundation
- Alison Parker — Deputy Regional Director, Eastern and Southern Africa, UNICEF
- Dr. Jennifer Opare-Kumi — Senior Policy and Research Lead, What Works Hub for Global Education (WWHGE)
- Ebtehal Elghamrawy — Education Specialist, UNICEF Egypt
- Linda Jönsson — Education Specialist, Foundational Learning and Assessment, UNICEF
- Mohammed Usman — PAL Network
- Shem Bodo — Senior Programs Officer, ADEA
- Edwin Kanyoma — Director of Planning, Ministry of Education, Malawi
14:00 – 16:00
Room 2
SESSION 2C – Sub-theme 2 – Teaching in a Language Children Understand: Evidence on Literacy and Multilingual Instruction
14:00 – 16:00
Room 2
SESSION 2C – Sub-theme 2 – Teaching in a Language Children Understand: Evidence on Literacy and Multilingual Instruction
Location: Conference Room 2 (Njobvu)
Speakers:
- Hon. Dr. Clement Abas Apaak — Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education, Republic of Ghana
- Badara Sarr – Director of Policy and Impact, Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA)
- Dr. Benjamin Piper — GEEAP and Director, Global Education Program, Gates Foundation
- Haritz Goya Lujambio — Education Specialist - Foundational Learning, UNICEF Global Practice for Education
- Dr. Kassa Michael — Associate Professor of Mathematics Education at Addis Ababa University
- Papa Ndiaga Diome — Head of the Planning and Monitoring & Evaluation Division, Directorate of Elementary Education Ministry of National Education, Senegal
- Dr. Safina Mutumba — Assistant Commissioner for Basic Education, Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda
- Lindiwe Chide — Director of Quality Assurance Services, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Malawi
- Prof. Haruna Musa — Executive Chairman, Jigawa State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Nigeria
- Hafsatu Hamza — Country Director, Nigeria, TaRL Africa
- Gerald Musoke — Strategic Education Advisor Foundational & Remedial Learning, VVOB
- Prof. Abba Idris Adam — Commissioner for Education, Yobe State Ministry of Education, Nigeria
14:00 – 16:00
Room 3
SESSION 3C – Sub-theme 3 – Technology in FL Delivery: From Evidence to Action — Strengthening EdTech & AI Policy and Research for Foundational Learning in Africa
14:00 – 16:00
Room 3
SESSION 3C – Sub-theme 3 – Technology in FL Delivery: From Evidence to Action — Strengthening EdTech & AI Policy and Research for Foundational Learning in Africa
Location: Conference Room 3 (Mbidzi)
Speakers:
- Hon. Conrad Sackey — Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone
- Francis Karanja — Head National ICT Innovation & Integration Centre, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Noria Nchingula — Director of Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL) at the Ministry of Education, Malawi
- Samson Distone — Chief Open, Distance and eLearning (ODeL) Officer, the Ministry of Education, Malawi
- Amadou Ba — Former Prime Minister & former Minister of Economy and Finance, Senegal
- Mathias Esmann — Director of Partnerships, Fab AI
- Charlie Habershon — Co-Lead, Global AI for Learning Alliance and Partner, Dalberg Advisors
- Pilirani Kumasewera — Malawi Country Lead, EdTech Hub
- Alice Carter — AI Observatory Lead, EdTech Hub
- Faith Mbushi - Kenya Lead, EdTech Hub/AERI
14:00 – 16:00
Room 4
SESSION 4C – Sub-theme 4 – Spending Smarter: Public Expenditure Innovation for Foundational Learning
14:00 – 16:00
Room 4
SESSION 4C – Sub-theme 4 – Spending Smarter: Public Expenditure Innovation for Foundational Learning
Location: Conference Room 4 (Nthiwatiwa + Phwiti + Mpheta)
Speakers:
- Muranda Phanuel Masimba — Director of Research and Statistics, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Zimbabwe
- Anatu Salifu — Principal Programme Officer, Ministry of Education, Ghana
- Francis Jonh Biney — Inspector General, Executive Director of the Programme for the Strengthening of the Basic Education System (PRSEB), Ministry of National Education, Literacy and Technical Education, Côte d'Ivoire
- Antuía Soverano — National Director of Planning, Statistics and Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Culture, Mozambique
Moderator:
- Haogen Yao — Education Economist, UNICEF (Moderator)
Discussant:
- Samer Al-Samarrai — Lead Economist, World Bank
Closing Remarks:
- Koffi Segniagbeto — Senior Education Specialist, Global Partnership for Education (GPE)
16:00 – 18:00
Room 1
SESSION 1D – Sub-theme 1 – What Happens When Data Reaches the Classroom?
16:00 – 18:00
Room 1
SESSION 1D – Sub-theme 1 – What Happens When Data Reaches the Classroom?
Location: Conference Room 1 (Mvuu)
Speakers:
- Dr. Langson Chibuye — Assistant Director of Primary Directorate, Ministry of Education, Zambia
- André Deloh— Director of Program Monitoring and Assessment of Academic Achievement, Head of National Evaluation Systems (NES), Ministry of National Education and Literacy, Cote d'Ivoire
- Kaunda Chidota— Acting Deputy Director of Primary Education, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Zimbabwe
- Mussa Julius Swila — National Coordinator for Pre-Primary Education and Foundational Learning at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Tanzania
- Abbey Bbosa Musoke — Basic Education Specialist UTSEP/MOES, Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda
- Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo — Executive Director, Uwezo Uganda
16:00 – 18:00
Room 2
SESSION 2D – Sub-theme 2 – From Delivery to Impact: Making Teaching Materials Count
16:00 – 18:00
Room 2
SESSION 2D – Sub-theme 2 – From Delivery to Impact: Making Teaching Materials Count
Location: Conference Room 2 (Njobvu)
Speakers:
- Shadreck Chakwawa — Director of Education, Youth and Sport, Ntchisi, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Malawi
- Stephen Barongo — Head of the Directorate of Primary Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Chako G. Chako — Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Botswana
- Annie Chazema — District Senior Primary Education Advisor (SPEA), Ministry of Education, Malawi
- Lesego Masitara — Chief Executive Officer, Department of Basic Education under the Ministry of Child Welfare and Basic Education, Botswana
- Julie Donohue-Kpolugbo — Literacy, Education, and Gender Specialist, CODE
- Agatha Njunga — Programme Coordinator, CODE
- Zachary Kwena — Director of Research and Evidence, Usawa Agenda
- Dr Fridah Kiambati — Associate Research Scientist, African Population & Health Research Centre (APHRC)
16:00 – 18:00
Room 3
SESSION 3D – Sub-theme 3 – From Participation to System Integration: Reframing Community Leadership in Foundational Learning Systems in Africa
16:00 – 18:00
Room 3
SESSION 3D – Sub-theme 3 – From Participation to System Integration: Reframing Community Leadership in Foundational Learning Systems in Africa
Location: Conference Room 3 (Mbidzi)
Speakers:
- Ms. Joyce Saukia — Deputy Director - Directorate of Quality Assurance Services (DQAS), MoEST, Malawi
- Ms. Mphatso Mary Magombo — Chief Community Development Officer, Directorate of Community Development, Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Malawi
- Nephitaly Abel Benister — Action Research Manager, Creative Centre for Community Mobilisation (CRECCOM)
- David Ndala — Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Creative Centre for Community Mobilisation (CRECCOM)
- Dr. Sani Njobdi — Research Manager, Common Heritage Foundation
- Dr. Adedoyin Adesina — Program Manager, Common Heritage Foundation
- Selamawit Alemayehu — Education Research in Protracted Conflict and Crisis Helpdesk
- Ng’ang’a Kibandi — Partnerships and Advocacy Director, Dignitas Project
- Prof. Oladele Akogun — Senior Researcher and Regional Research Director (ERICC), International Rescue Committee (IRC)
- Dr. Rebecca Glade — Research Associate in MISR and the Managing Editor of the Makerere Historical Journal
- Mamadou Salif Traore — Education Technical Advisor, West and Central Africa (WACAR), International Rescue Committee
- Linice Sanga — Project Manager, Creative Centre for Community Mobilisation (CRECCOM) (Moderator)
- Aliyu Musa — Adamawa State Ministry of Education, Yola, Nigeria
16:00 – 18:00
Room 4
SESSION 4D – Sub-theme 4 – Strengthening frameworks, government action and parliamentary oversight for foundational learning
16:00 – 18:00
Room 4
SESSION 4D – Sub-theme 4 – Strengthening frameworks, government action and parliamentary oversight for foundational learning
Location: Conference Room 4 (Nthiwatiwa + Phwiti + Mpheta)
Speakers:
- Hon. Harry Kamboni — Chair of the Committee on Education, Science and Technology of the National Assembly of Zambia
- Hon. Mutani Tambala — Chair of the Committee for Education, Science and Technology Committee, Parliament of Malawi
- Catherine Ondieki— Assistant Director of Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Prof. Jeannette Bayisenge — Coordinator of the Foundational Learning Delivery Unit, Ministry of Education, Rwanda
- Felix Ngom — PEO – Copperbelt, Ministry of Education, Zambia
- Pierre Chanou — Ministry of Basic Education and Vocational Training, Republic of Benin
- Sophia Ashipala — Head of Education Division, African Union Commission
- Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly — Co-founder and Executive Director, International Parliamentary Network for Education (IPNED) (Moderator)
19:00 – 21:00
ADEA Welcome cocktail reception
19:00 – 21:00
ADEA Welcome cocktail reception
- All FLEX participants
- Finger food
- Live music / entertainment
- Professional compere.
16 July 2026
07:15 – 08:15
BICC
World Bank accelerator programme breakfast meeting (Invitation only)
07:15 – 08:15
BICC
World Bank accelerator programme breakfast meeting (Invitation only)
Location: BICC (VIP Balcony)
Government technical team and partners
07:30 – 09:00
Arrival, accreditation & welcome
07:30 – 09:00
Arrival, accreditation & welcome
- Final delegate registration
- Ministerial VIP welcome reception
- Main Hall doors open.
09:00 – 13:00
Main Hall
High-level Opening Plenary — Official Opening of FLEX2026
09:00 – 13:00
Main Hall
High-level Opening Plenary — Official Opening of FLEX2026
Location: Main Hall (Mvuu + Njobvu + Mbidzi)
Part 1. Official Opening (09:00 – 10:45):
- Cultural performances;
- MC welcome & introduction of dignitaries;
- National & AU anthems;
- ADEA welcoming remarks (Mr. Albert Nsengiyumva, ADEA Executive Secretary);
- Goodwill messages from partners;
- African Union remarks (Professor Madougou Saidou, Director of the African Union's Department of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI));
- Remarks by host Minister & introduction of Guest of Honour (GOH) (Hon. Bright Msaka, SC, GOH - TBC);
- Keynote address & official opening by Guest of Honour (Head of State / delegated official) and one-one-one fireside chat with GOH (TBC);
- Official group photograph.
Part 2. Plenary Dialogue (11:10 – 12:35):
- Presentation on progress since FLEX2024 by Dr. Jacqueline Jere Folotoya; Ministerial panel — "Setting the stage: the journey from Freetown to Lilongwe";
- Partners panel (Hempel Foundation, Gates Foundation, World Bank, UNICEF, Prevail Fund, GPE);
- Ministerial reflection (Hon. Minister of Education, Côte d’Ivoire);
- Moderator wrap & handover.
- Networking / exhibitions follow at the Blue Roof area.
Main Hall (500–600 pax) · Professional compere / MC · Simultaneous interpretation EN/FR/PT · Livestreamed.
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch break
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch break
14:00 – 16:00
Room 5
Ministerial Closed Session
14:00 – 16:00
Room 5
Ministerial Closed Session
Location: Conference Room 5 (Nkhanga + Nkhwali)
14:00 – 16:00
Room 1
SESSION 1E – Sub-theme 1 – From Readiness to Learning: Strengthening Data Across the Early Years
14:00 – 16:00
Room 1
SESSION 1E – Sub-theme 1 – From Readiness to Learning: Strengthening Data Across the Early Years
Location: Conference Room 1 (Mvuu)
Speakers:
- Kaunda Chidota— Acting Deputy Director of Primary Education, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Zimbabwe
- Lindiwe Chide — Director of Quality Assurance Services, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Malawi
- Ayesha Wentworth — Director for Programmes and Quality Assurance, Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Namibia
- Dr. Flora Mutezigaju — Deputy Director General, Rwanda Basic Education Board
- Meseret Bekele — Director of the Pastoralist and Inclusive Education Department, Federal Ministry of Education, Ethiopia
- Charlene Bangwe — Country Director, Federer Foundation, Zambia
- Linda Jönsson — Education Specialist, Foundational Learning and Assessment, UNICEF
- Ramya Vivekanandan — Senior Education Specialist, Global Partnership for Education (GPE)
- Charlene Bangwe — Country Director, Zambia, Federer Foundation (Moderator)
14:00 – 16:00
Room 2
SESSION 2E – Sub-theme 2 – Quality from the Start: National ECE Spotlights from Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana and Zambia
14:00 – 16:00
Room 2
SESSION 2E – Sub-theme 2 – Quality from the Start: National ECE Spotlights from Tanzania, South Africa, Ghana and Zambia
Location: Conference Room 2 (Njobvu)
Speakers:
- Susan Place Everhart — CEO, Sabre Education UK (Moderator)
- Dr. Samuel Awuku — Coordinator and Principal Advisor, NECRI (Reforms) Secretariat, Ghana
- Mussa Julius Swila — National Coordinator for Pre-Primary Education and Foundational Learning at the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Tanzania
- Asiya Hendricks — Deputy Director for MST Curriculum Innovation and E-Learning, Department of Basic Education (DBE), South Africa
- Enock Kaluba — Ministry of General Education, Zambia
- Foster Armah — ECE Specialist, Sabre Education Ghana
- Engenas Senona — Education Specialist (Early Learning), UNICEF South Africa
- Gibson Nchimunya — Education Officer for Early Childhood Education, UNICEF Zambia
- Kwabena Gao — Education Specialist, Right To Play, Ghana
- Eunice Yaa Brimfah Ackwerh — Senior Education Specialist, World Bank, Ghana (Discussant)
14:00 – 16:00
Room 3
SESSION 3E – Sub-theme 3 – Getting Teachers Where They're Needed Most: From Evidence to Workforce Reform
14:00 – 16:00
Room 3
SESSION 3E – Sub-theme 3 – Getting Teachers Where They're Needed Most: From Evidence to Workforce Reform
Location: Conference Room 3 (Mbidzi)
Speakers:
- Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis — Director General of Ghana Education Service
- George Morgan — Director-General, Ministry of General Education and Instruction - MoGEI, South Sudan
- Aliyu Musa — Adamawa State Min of Education, Yola, Nigeria
- Fatou Bob — Head of Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation Office, Human Resources Directorate, Ministry of Education, Senegal
- Prof. Oladele Akogun — Regional Research Director, ERICC research consortium, and Senior Researcher, Airbel Impact Lab
- Sani Njobdi — Research Manager for Common Heritage Foundation - partner within the Education Research in Conflict and Protracted Crisis (ERICC) consortium.
- Ariana Youn – Senior Consultant, ODI Global
- Tuamanaia Foimapafisi — Research Specialist, UNICEF Innocenti
14:00 – 16:00
Room 4
SESSION 4E – Sub-theme 4 – How to Sustain Leadership & Political Will for Foundational Learning Reform
14:00 – 16:00
Room 4
SESSION 4E – Sub-theme 4 – How to Sustain Leadership & Political Will for Foundational Learning Reform
Location: Conference Room 4 (Nthiwatiwa + Phwiti + Mpheta)
Speakers:
- Almaret du Toit — Chief Education Specialist, Western Cape, South Africa
- Dr. Gola António - National Director of Preschool and Primary Education, Ministry of Education, Angola
- Dr. E. Naveen Nicolas — Director of School Education and State Project Director, Samagra Shiksa, Telangana State, India [VIRTUAL]
- Sambhrant Srivastava — Associate Director, Central Square Foundation, India
- Tereza Farias — Director of Policies and Guidelines for Basic Comprehensive Education, Ministry of Education, Brazil [VIRTUAL]
- Fábio Manno — Chief of Education at UNICEF Angola
- Kathlyn Pattillo — Director, Lighthouse Coalition at Global Schools Forum
16:00 – 18:00
Room 1
SESSION 1F – Sub-theme 1 – Strengthening National Assessment Systems: From Design to Sustainability
16:00 – 18:00
Room 1
SESSION 1F – Sub-theme 1 – Strengthening National Assessment Systems: From Design to Sustainability
Location: Conference Room 1 (Mvuu)
Speakers:
- Hon. Conrad Sackey — Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone
- Hafrica During — Senior Adviser, Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, Sierra Leone
- Fomba Ngebeh — Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, Sierra Leone
- Yanhong Zhang — Head of Foresight and Innovation, UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
- Josephine Kiyenje — Senior Project Lead for the Spotlight series at the GEM Report
- Hanitriniaina Niry Rakotomalala — Secretary General of the Malagasy National Commission for UNESCO/Ministry of National Education, Madagascar
16:00 – 18:00
Room 2
SESSION 2F – Sub-theme 2 – Scaling What Works: Evidence, Alignment, and National Roadmaps for Foundational Numeracy
16:00 – 18:00
Room 2
SESSION 2F – Sub-theme 2 – Scaling What Works: Evidence, Alignment, and National Roadmaps for Foundational Numeracy
Location: Conference Room 2 (Njobvu)
Speakers:
- Hon. Torerayi Moyo — Minister of Education, Zimbabwe
- Martin Kungania — Deputy Director, Directorate of Primary Education and the State Department for Basic Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Dr. Cleophus Mugenyi — Commissioner of Basic Education, Ministry of Education, Uganda
- Jane Chavula — Mathematics Specialist, Curriculum Development, Ministry of Education, Zambia
- Lindiwe Chide — Director of Quality Assurance Services, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Malawi
- Josephine Kiyenje — Senior Project Lead for the Spotlight series at the GEM Report
- Tom Pugh — Project Director, Numeracy Research and Development Fund, Genesis Analytics
- Elsie Adeya — Project Manager, Numeracy Research and Development Fund, Genesis Analytics (tentative)
- Virginia Ngindiru / James Mburu — Director – Innovations / Numeracy Coordinator, Mizizi Elimu Afrika (tentative)
16:00 – 18:00
Room 3
SESSION 3F – Sub-theme 3 – Strengthening the Middle Tier: How African Countries Are Delivering on Foundational Learning Commitments
16:00 – 18:00
Room 3
SESSION 3F – Sub-theme 3 – Strengthening the Middle Tier: How African Countries Are Delivering on Foundational Learning Commitments
Location: Conference Room 3 (Mbidzi)
Speakers:
- Hon. Bright Msaka SC — Minister of Education, Malawi
- Hon. Phyllis Chemutai — Minister of Education, Uganda
- Dr. Cleophus Mugenyi — Commissioner of Basic Education, Ministry of Education, Uganda
- Dr Folake Olatunji-David – Director of Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria
- Evelyne Owoko — Director, Quality Assurance and standards, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Dr. Samuel Awuku — Coordinator and Principal Advisor, NECRI (Reforms) Secretariat, Ghana
- Annie Chazema — District Senior Primary Education Advisor (SPEA), Ministry of Education, Malawi
- Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili — Founder and CEO, Human Capital Africa
- Deborah Kimathi — Education Development Center
- Chinwe Umeh-Ujubuonu — Team Lead: Government and Partnerships, Human Capital Africa
- Santos Akhilele — Senior Associate, Human Capital Africa
- Mike Kavalo — Teacher, Ministry of Education, Malawi
- Bridget Nungu — Director of Education and Sports (DES) for Mzimba South, Ministry of Education, Malawi
- Birungi Musa — Senior Education Officer, Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda
16:00 – 18:00
Room 4
SESSION 4F – Sub-theme 4 – Making the Case, and Making it Happen: financing and sustaining foundational learning at scale
16:00 – 18:00
Room 4
SESSION 4F – Sub-theme 4 – Making the Case, and Making it Happen: financing and sustaining foundational learning at scale
Location: Conference Room 4 (Nthiwatiwa + Phwiti + Mpheta)
Speakers:
- Emily Woolf — Head of Education Policy and Partnerships, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
- Jennifer Opare-Kumi — Senior Policy and Research Lead, Co-PI on Outcomes Fund Study in Ghana and Sierra Leone
- Adia Umulisa — Head of Education Sector Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Rwanda
- Hon. N’Guessan Koffi — Minister of National Education, Literacy and Technical Education, Republic of Côte d’Ivoire [to be confirmed]
- John Lekakeny Ololtuaa — Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education in Kenya's Ministry of Education [to be confirmed]
- Anders Holm — Chief Executive Officer, Hempel Foundation
- Gail Campbell — Chief Executive Officer, Zenex Foundation
- Maya Ziswiler — Chief Executive Officer, Roger Federer Foundation
19:00 – 22:00
BICC
ADEA Welcome dinner (TBC)
19:00 – 22:00
BICC
ADEA Welcome dinner (TBC)
- All FLEX participants
- Formal sit-down dinner
- Live band & cultural entertainment
17 July 2026
08:00 – 10:30
School visits for government delegates — guided visits to designated schools
08:00 – 10:30
School visits for government delegates — guided visits to designated schools
08:30 – 10:30
Room 1
SESSION 1G – Sub-theme 1 – Partnerships that Count: How Governments and Civil Society Can Generate the Learning Data Countries Need
08:30 – 10:30
Room 1
SESSION 1G – Sub-theme 1 – Partnerships that Count: How Governments and Civil Society Can Generate the Learning Data Countries Need
Location: Conference Room 1 (Mvuu)
Speakers:
- Kaunda Chidota— Acting Deputy Director of Primary Education, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Zimbabwe
- Armando Ali — CEO, PAL Network
- Muhammad Usman — Program Manager, PAL Network
- Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo — Executive Director, Uwezo Uganda
- Emmanuel Manyasa – Executive Director, Usawa Agenda
- Anders Holm — CEO, Hempel Foundation
- Gonzalo Almeyda — Communications and Advocacy Manager, PAL Network
- Rosemary Chepkoech — Senior Manager, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
- Amélia Maria Ussene — Program Officer, Facilidade-ICDS
- Sheila Eulália Mahalambe — Institute for Education Development, Mozambique
08:30 – 10:30
Room 2
SESSION 2G – Sub-theme 2 – Teaching at the Right Level: Designing, Adapting and Scaling within National Systems
08:30 – 10:30
Room 2
SESSION 2G – Sub-theme 2 – Teaching at the Right Level: Designing, Adapting and Scaling within National Systems
Location: Conference Room 2 (Njobvu)
Speakers:
- Dr. Cleophus Mugenyi — Commissioner of Basic Education, Ministry of Education, Uganda
- Hon. Dr. Halima Mohamed — Minister of Education, Eritrea [VIRTUAL]
- Vusi Simelane — Primary Education Inspector and Acting Chief at the Free Primary Education Unit, Ministry of Education and Training (MoET), Kingdom of Eswatini
- Mubarak Mohammed — Executive Chairman, Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Nigeria
- Dr. Steven Moyo — Curriculum Specialist, Literacy, the Ministry of Education, Zambia
- Titus Syengo — Executive Director, TaRL Africa
- Dr. Jonathan Stern – Deputy Director, Global Education, Gates Foundation
08:30 – 10:30
Room 3
SESSION 3G – Sub-theme 3 – Strengthening the Early Years Workforce for Foundational Learning
08:30 – 10:30
Room 3
SESSION 3G – Sub-theme 3 – Strengthening the Early Years Workforce for Foundational Learning
Location: Conference Room 3 (Mbidzi)
Speakers:
- Dr. Samuel Awuku — Coordinator and Principal Advisor, NECRI (Reforms) Secretariat, Ghana
- Martha Odundo — Head of Directorate for ECDE, Ministry of Education, Kenya
- Mr. Soumaré Oumar - Director General of Education, Mauritania
- Foster Armah — ECE Specialist, Sabre Education Ghana
- Eleanor Sykes - Advocacy Lead, Lively Minds
- Nada Elattar — Chief of Education, UNICEF Mauritania
- Andiwo Obondoh — Technical Analyst & Team Lead, Education Development Trust
- Kwabena Gao — Education Specialist, Right to Play, Ghana
- Barbara Aidoo — Policy Manager, Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), Ghana
08:30 – 10:30
Room 4
SESSION 4G – Sub-theme 4 – Beyond Public Budgets: Blended Finance, PPPs & Outcomes-Based Models
08:30 – 10:30
Room 4
SESSION 4G – Sub-theme 4 – Beyond Public Budgets: Blended Finance, PPPs & Outcomes-Based Models
Location: Conference Room 4 (Nthiwatiwa + Phwiti + Mpheta)
Speakers:
- Ramya Vivekanandan — Senior Education Specialist, GPE (Moderator)
- Emmanuel G. Allie — Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Sierra Leone
- Adia Umulisa — Head of Education Sector Planning and Monitoring & Evaluation at the Ministry of Education, Rwanda
- Rabson Madi — Component Manager, BEFIT Programme, Directorate of Basic Education (DBE), Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Malawi
- Bakary Mouze Mogne — Education Policy Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Ministry of National Education, Comoros
- Angela Rugo — Country Lead for Rwanda, Education Outcomes Fund
- Rapelang Rabana — Co-CEO, Imagine Worldwide
10:30 – 11:00
Return from school visits — Health break (Light refreshments)
10:30 – 11:00
Return from school visits — Health break (Light refreshments)
11:00 – 13:00
Room 1
SESSION 1H – Sub-theme 1 – Building Trusted Data Systems for Better Decisions
11:00 – 13:00
Room 1
SESSION 1H – Sub-theme 1 – Building Trusted Data Systems for Better Decisions
Location: Conference Room 1 (Mvuu)
Speakers:
- Hon. Dino Ballotti — Deputy Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, Namibia
- Lanken Nkhata — Acting Head of the Education Management Information Systems (EMIS), Ministry of Education, Science & Technology (MoEST), Malawi
- Dr. Meite Inza — Director of Studies, Strategy, Planning and Statistics, Ministry of National Education, Literacy, and Technical Education, Côte d’Ivoire
- Adia Umulisa — Head of Education Sector Planning, Ministry of Education, Rwanda
- Dr. Saima Malik — Senior Education Specialist, World Bank
11:00 – 13:00
Room 2
SESSION 2H – Sub-theme 2 – Ensuring Foundational Learning in Crisis Contexts: A Scalable Approach for Vulnerable Children
11:00 – 13:00
Room 2
SESSION 2H – Sub-theme 2 – Ensuring Foundational Learning in Crisis Contexts: A Scalable Approach for Vulnerable Children
Location: Conference Room 2 (Njobvu)
Speakers:
- Hon. Dr. Al-Tohami Al-Zein Hajar — Hon. Minister of Education, Sudan
- Dr. Annet Kajura — Ag. Commissioner, Teacher Education, Training, and Development (TETD), Ministry of Education and Sports, Uganda
- Prof. Bulama Kagu — Executive Chairman for Borno State Universal Basic Education Board, Nigeria
- Hassan Mohamed Ali — Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Culture and Higher Education, Somalia
- Jean Claude Bakwabaya — Great Lakes Representative, Street Child, The Democratic Republic of Congo
11:00 – 13:00
Room 3
SESSION 3H – Sub-theme 3 – Beyond the Classroom: Parents and Communities Driving Reading at Scale
11:00 – 13:00
Room 3
SESSION 3H – Sub-theme 3 – Beyond the Classroom: Parents and Communities Driving Reading at Scale
Location: Conference Room 3 (Mbidzi)
Speakers:
- Dr. Langson Chibuye — Assistant Director of Primary Directorate, Ministry of Education, Zambia
- Dennis Daka — Technical Specialist – Community Engagement, Integrated Programmes Department, National Office, World Vision Zambia [VIRTUAL]
- Makayiko Kayimba — Education Technical Coordinator and Specialist, World Vision Malawi
- Michael Jester — Deputy Head Teacher
11:00 – 13:00
Room 4
SESSION 4H – Sub-theme 4 – What Works, at What Cost: The Evidence Base for Scaling Foundational Learning
11:00 – 13:00
Room 4
SESSION 4H – Sub-theme 4 – What Works, at What Cost: The Evidence Base for Scaling Foundational Learning
Location: Conference Room 4 (Nthiwatiwa + Phwiti + Mpheta)
Speakers:
- Name (TBC) — Government representative
- Samer Al-Samarrai — Lead Economist, World Bank
- Dr. Adamseged Abebe — Africa Fellow, World Bank
- Alison Grimsland — Senior Education Specialist, World Bank
- Marla Spivack — Economist, World Bank
- Ama Koma Blankson-Anaman — Education Specialist, World Bank
- Dr. Jeongmin Lee — Foundational Learning Specialist, World Bank
- Prof. Oladele Akogun — Senior Researcher and Regional Research Director (ERICC), International Rescue Committee (IRC)
- Amy Barnecutt — Principal Consultant, Education Development Trust (EDT)
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
13:00 – 14:00
Lunch
- Buffet lunch
- Ministerial private lunch in a separate room (TBC).
- All delegates return to venue.
14:00 – 15:00
Main Hall
Restitution, school-visit feedback & plenary reflection
14:00 – 15:00
Main Hall
Restitution, school-visit feedback & plenary reflection
Location: Main Hall (Mjobvu)
Items:
- Structured feedback from school-visit groups
- Key outcomes from all parallel sessions
- Open reflections from delegates.
15:00 – 16:15
Main Hall
Closing Formalities — FLEX2026 Outcomes Document
15:00 – 16:15
Main Hall
Closing Formalities — FLEX2026 Outcomes Document
Location: Main Hall (Mjobvu)
Part 1. FLEX2026 Resolutions:
- Presentation of FLEX2026 Main Resolutions, incl. Youth Call to Action (Chief Rapporteur / ADEA Technical Lead);
- Adoption of the FLEX2026 Resolutions (Hon. Minister of Education, Malawi + Ministers).
Part 2. Handover & Closing:
- Announcement of FLEX2028 host country & symbolic handover;
- Remarks by incoming host;
- Closing remarks (Hon. Minister of Education, Malawi);
- Vote of thanks (ADEA Executive Secretary);
- Official close.
Main Hall · All delegates · Professional compere.
16:15
Farewell tea break & dispersal
16:15
Farewell tea break & dispersal
- Delegates disperse
- End of FLEX2026