Human Capital Africa (HCA)

Challenge

Africa is experiencing a human capital crisis. Over 9 out of 10 children in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot read with understanding by age 10, creating a severe learning poverty that threatens the continent’s future workforce and competitiveness.

Solution

Human Capital Africa (HCA) is a high-level coalition driving accountability for foundational learning in Africa. By mobilizing political leaders, development partners, and civil society, HCA makes learning outcomes—especially literacy and numeracy by age 10—the central measure of education success. We provide governments with data, policy support, and a platform for public accountability to ensure that every child acquires the skills to thrive.

Traction

Since launch, HCA has secured commitments commitments from 15+ African governments to prioritize foundational learning. HCA has partnered with the World Bank, UNICEF, and the African Union to align global and regional agendas around learning outcomes, and launched the HCA Learning Barometer, now a reference point for tracking literacy across the continent. With a rapidly growing coalition, HCA is positioning foundational learning as Africa’s defining development priority.