AFLAI

Across Africa, more countries are collecting data on foundational literacy and numeracy, but assessment capacity has not kept pace. More than half of countries collect some foundational learning data, yet fewer than one in five do so systematically at the primary level.

Ministries of Education often lack the psychometric, statistical and technical expertise needed to design, manage and interpret assessments independently. As a result, countries continue to rely heavily on external providers, making it difficult to sustain assessment systems when projects or funding end.

AFLAI - the Africa Foundational Learning Assessment Initiative - Is an Africa-led support mechanism helping governments strengthen the assessment systems they need to understand whether children are learning and use that evidence to improve outcomes.

AFLAI does not run assessments for governments or promote a single tool or methodology. Instead, it connects governments with technical expertise, practical support and capacity-building that enables them to make better assessment decisions and build systems they can sustain independently.

• Digital Systems - strengthens the technology and infrastructure supporting national assessment systems.

• Data & Analytics - helps governments manage, analyse and use assessment data for better decisions.

• Technical Support - provides practical expertise to strengthen assessment processes and capabilities.

• Capacity Building - helps governments develop the skills and systems needed to sustain assessment independently.

• Sustainability - supports locally owned systems that reduce long-term dependence on external providers.

SITU provides AFLAI with an institutional and operating platform that supports programme coordination, financial management, partnership engagement, resource mobilisation and delivery. This shared infrastructure enables the AFLAI initiative to focus on strengthening government-led assessment systems, connecting countries with technical expertise and building the internal capacity needed to sustain foundational learning assessment. SITU works alongside AFLAI and its partners, supporting the initiative’s delivery without replacing the specialist roles of assessment, psychometric, statistical and education partners.

AFLAI is supporting governments across Africa to strengthen their capacity to assess foundational literacy and numeracy. Through technical support, coordination and capacity building, the initiative is helping countries move from dependence on external assessment providers towards stronger, locally owned and sustainable assessment systems.