Africa’s path to sustainable development lies in transforming its education systems into platforms for industrialisation, innovation, and practical problem-solving. Speaking at the 3rd Africa Education Summit in Victoria Falls, President Emmerson Mnangagwa outlined a compelling case for a paradigm shift that aligns learning with the continent’s developmental needs.
“Building the Africa we want demands a continuous paradigm shift from us stakeholders, policymakers, educators, innovators and learners alike,” he said. This call encapsulates a growing realisation that traditional academic models, which often focus on rote learning and certification, are no longer sufficient. Instead, education must now be defined by its capacity to equip learners with the skills, tools, and mindset to address societal challenges and fuel economic growth.
President Mnangagwa stressed the urgency of developing “solution-driven minds” and breaking the pattern of producing “merely certificate-holding graduates.” His remarks reflect a wider continental concern: despite increasing literacy and higher education access, much of Africa still struggles to translate educational gains into productivity and industrial advancement.
The President’s emphasis on bridging the gap between academic learning and the demands of industry is well grounded. He noted that institutions must become “incubators of innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership,” urging that students be capacitated to produce goods and services relevant to their communities. This vision is already taking shape through Zimbabwe’s Education 5.0 model, which integrates teaching, research, community service, innovation, and industrialisation.
According to the President, this approach has yielded tangible outcomes, including over 500 patents filed across universities, laying the groundwork for a home-grown industrial base. The establishment of innovation hubs and industrial parks at institutions such as the University of Zimbabwe, NUST, and Midlands State University is reinforcing this vision.
Despite progress, challenges remain. Approximately 30 million children in Sub-Saharan Africa are out of school, and many institutions still lack resources and trained educators. President Mnangagwa pointed to teacher training collaborations and knowledge sharing among African states as necessary solutions, offering Zimbabwe’s own experiences as a contribution to the broader continental effort.
He also highlighted Zimbabwe’s national School Feeding Programme and investment in rural school infrastructure as key pillars in reducing absenteeism and ensuring inclusive access. The plan to sink boreholes at every rural school and establish nutrition gardens signals a commitment to holistic education—one that supports learners’ well-being alongside academic growth.
Digital access was another key area. President Mnangagwa stressed that “limited access to energy hinders prospects for most African learners,” particularly in rural areas. He called for dual investment in clean energy and digital infrastructure to support e-learning, artificial intelligence, and smart classrooms—tools that should be seen not as luxuries, but necessities.
Perhaps most importantly, he framed education as a critical enabler of Africa’s long-term sovereignty and self-sufficiency. “We must become a continent that can produce and feed itself,” he said, drawing a direct link between education and the ability to address food security, job creation, and economic resilience.
As Africa pushes towards the goals of Agenda 2063 and national development visions like Zimbabwe’s Vision 2030, President Mnangagwa’s call for a “bold and decisive” rethinking of education resonates strongly. His remarks underscore the centrality of human capital development in realising continental aspirations.
If adopted across African states, this approach could help shift education from being a system of delayed promises to one of immediate and lasting impact. The momentum from the Africa Education Summit offers a unique opportunity to reframe learning as the engine of Africa’s future.
