Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Evidence Highlights 2025
Informing policies and programmes impacting children and youth in the region
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These 3 key pieces of evidence provide valuable insights into critical areas impacting the region's children and youth. Recognizing the interconnectedness of various developmental challenges, these studies offer evidence-based analyses to inform policies and programs aimed at fostering positive change.
The evidence on early childhood development (ECD) shows the importance of having a holistic approach to ECD, integrating the support for young children's health, nutrition, education, and overall well-being. The analysis employs population-based measurements and quantitative surveys to evaluate developmental outcomes of young children in Eastern and Southern Africa. While regional data indicates progress, significant disparities persist, particularly for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. In fact, the report shows that children from the poorest households remain five times less likely to acquire foundational literacy and numeracy skills than wealthier peers.
On education, the evidence explores innovative approaches to enhance workforce development and address youth unemployment. The evaluation covering multiple ESA countries (Burundi, Uganda, and South Africa), shows that micro-credentials present a valuable opportunity to address youth unemployment in low- and middle-income countries by providing targeted, recognized skills training. A well-structured micro-credential system can empower unemployed youth while contributing to broader socio-economic development.
Finally, the evidence that examines gender-transformative programming, help assess how investments in adolescent girls' leadership skills contribute to positive change and gender equality. While case study countries are addressing girls’ voice, agency, and leadership to differing degrees, the evaluation highlights the need for more resources, meaningful youth participation in policy design, and greater inclusion to promote gender-transformative outcomes. By identifying the structures that underpin gender inequality and promoting effective interventions such as mentorship, upskilling, capacity building activities, among others this can contribute to positive change in adolescent girls’ lives in the Eastern and Southern Africa region.
