Veep, World Bank VP to lead discussions on advancing higher education in Africa at ACE 10th anniversary

Ghana’s Vice President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, will attend the Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) 10th Anniversary Celebration. This event is scheduled for April 7 to 9, 2025, in Accra.

Ousmane Diagana, World Bank Vice President for West & Central Africa, will also participate. Finance and higher education ministers from 20 African countries will join them.

Millicent Afriyie Adjei, Communications Lead for the ACE Impact Project at AAU, shared details during a press briefing on March 27. She noted that the Vice President of Ghana will officially open the ceremony on April 7.

Adjei mentioned that key directors and managers from the World Bank would discuss higher education advancements in Africa. The ACE Programme began in 2014 and has significantly advanced higher education and research across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Over ten years, it has supported over 80 centres in 50 universities across 20 countries. Thousands of postgraduate students have been trained in STEM, health, agriculture, environment, and social sciences.

Prof. Olusola Oyewole, Secretary General of AAU, highlighted the programme's impact on African universities. He stated that ACE has improved postgraduate education and research capacity while enhancing industry collaboration.

Rev Prof Ing Eric Antwi Ofosu described ACE as transformative for postgraduate education. He expressed gratitude to governments and the World Bank for their support.

The three-day event will showcase achievements and innovations from the ACE programme. It will include inspiring stories from young entrepreneurs and discussions on women in STEM.

There will also be breakout sessions focused on innovation and industry collaboration. Felix Abagale from WACWISA noted significant financial investments resulting from the programme.

Each ACE centre has received about $6.4 million for research infrastructure improvements. WACWISA has trained students from over 20 African countries; RCEES increased its annual research output significantly.

The programme has helped universities gain international accreditation for graduates' competitiveness globally. As ACE approaches its third phase completion in June 2025, discussions at the anniversary event will focus on sustainability strategies.

These discussions will cover policy reforms and funding models to ensure long-term impact. The programme is supported by the World Bank, AFD, and IUCEA with a total investment of $657 million plus an additional $72 million from AFD.