The first quarter of 2026 marked HERI Africa’s transition from planning into full implementation, positioning the initiative as an important platform for strengthening evidence-informed education reform across Africa.
A major milestone was the official launch of HERI Africa at Kisii University in February 2026, where Kenya’s National Education Research Agenda (NERA) was endorsed by the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
The launch convened stakeholders from government, academia, civil society, media, development organizations, and the private sector, reinforcing the importance of collaborative ecosystems in ensuring research informs both policy and practice.
Significant institutional progress was also made through the launch of a Research Chair in Mathematics Education at the University of Embu, the establishment of a mathematics laboratory at D.E.B Kangaru Primary School, and the appointment of a Senior Academic Lead for Life Skills and Values at Kenyatta University.
Collectively, these initiatives reflect growing momentum toward strengthening African-led research ecosystems that are collaborative, policy-responsive, and grounded in local realities and priorities
