The African Union (AU) declared the current year as the ‘Year of Education,’ pushing governments across the continent to intensify their efforts to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 4 in April. 

This is to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” However, the path to quality education is steep, with countries needing an extra $77 billion each year to meet their national education targets.

Despite this urgent need, funding remains largely unchanged, with government spending on education stuck at around 3.7% of GDP since 2012. A recent 2024 analysis by UNESCO revealed that only nine out of 49 African countries allocate 20% or more of their public budgets to education. 

Additionally, 24 countries dedicate at least 15%, while six nations spend less than 10%. The report also highlighted significant regional differences in how education is funded. 

For example, Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries cover 76% of education costs through government spending, whereas Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) nations rely more heavily on households, which bear 43% of the costs compared to just 21% in SADC.

Despite these challenges, several African nations are making commendable strides by prioritizing education in their national budgets. Here are the countries leading the way.

Kenya 

Kenya stands out with its substantial investment in education, allocating nearly 30% of its national budget to the sector. In the 2024-25 fiscal year, over $5 billion (Sh656.6 billion) was dedicated to education, translating to approximately $1,500 per student each year. This significant funding has made education a top priority, ensuring that more students have access to quality learning opportunities.

Namibia 

As a leader in education spending, Namibia is committing an average of 20.7% of its total budget and 7.8% of its GDP to education. A 2023 UNESCO report placed Namibia as Africa’s third-highest spender on education. In the 2023-24 budget, more than $138 million (N$20.3 billion) was allocated to education, averaging $1,405 per student, according to UNICEF.

Botswana 

Botswana allocates around 7.1% of its GDP and 22.2% of its national budget to education. Each student receives about $1,000 annually, which has contributed to a literacy rate of 88%. A study by Bscholarly.com ranked Botswana 92nd out of 140 countries in the World Education Forum, highlighting its effective investment in education.

Eswatini

Eswatini dedicates nearly 20% of its budget to education, with per-student spending estimated at $1,000. In the 2023-24 financial year, the government allocated $3.6 million (E65 million) to the education sector, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving educational outcomes.

South Africa

South Africa has been steadily increasing its education budget, with 19.75% of the national budget dedicated to education in 2022—a 1.26% rise from 2021. For the 2023-24 budget, over $17 billion (R313.7 billion) is set aside for primary education alone, providing about $1,300 per learner each year.

Burundi

Burundi has significantly ramped up its education funding, increasing allocations from around $84 million (BIF 243.1 billion) in 2016 to over $1.7 billion (BIF 499.1 billion) for 2023-24. Currently, each student benefits from more than $1,750 annually, with education making up about 19% of the national budget.

Lesotho

Lesotho is among the top African nations in terms of education spending as a percentage of GDP. By 2021, it was investing 18.4% of its GDP in education, which amounts to over $57 million annually. UNICEF reports that Lesotho spends nearly $1,000 per student each year, reflecting its dedication to educational excellence.

Rwanda

Rwanda’s education sector is set to receive over $600 million (792.7 billion Rwandan francs) in the 2024-25 budget, representing 14% of the total $4,240 million (5,690 billion RWF) budget. With nearly $1,000 allocated per student each year, Rwanda is making significant progress in enhancing its educational infrastructure and accessibility.

Mozambique

Mozambique ranks high in per-student education expenditure, investing around $1,500 per student annually. In 2024, the government allocated more than $886 million (€800 million) to education, which accounts for 12.1% of the national budget. This investment is crucial for improving educational quality and expanding access across the country.

Madagascar

Madagascar invests nearly $2,000 per student each year, making it one of the top spenders per capita in Africa. However, the share of the national budget allocated to education has decreased from 22% in 2014 to 12% in 2021, falling short of the 20% target. Despite this, Madagascar continues to prioritize education through significant per-student investments.

What you should know

For a country like Mauritius, tho not in the top ten, Mauritius deserves recognition for its outstanding education system. Ranked among Africa’s top education providers by the World Economic Forum, Mauritius allocated over $455 million to education in the 2024-25 budget, which is 10% of the total national budget. 

This investment has helped maintain high educational standards and prepare students for the global workforce.