It was a true privilege to co-host the 2nd EAC Regional Education Conference alongside the East African Community Secretariat and the Kenya Ministry of Education Under the vibrant skies of Nairobi, nearly 600 delegates—including Ministers, senior officials, civil society advocates, academics, and development partners—gathered at The Safari Park Hotel Nairobi.

Our singular goal was to tackle a massive, urgent question: how do we transition “From Commitments to Impact” and build resilient, future-ready education systems across East Africa? The energy in the room was palpable, but as the four days of intense discussions wrapped up, a sobering truth settled in. Convening is wonderful, but the real work starts post-the conference. It’s time to turn these promises into measurable, everyday changes for learners, teachers, and schools across our communities.

While African partner states reported increased education financing, expanded school infrastructure, and a deeper focus on early childhood education and foundational learning. There’s also been exciting progress in digitalizing classrooms, investing in teacher development, and collaborating on technical, vocational, and higher education across borders.

Author: Dr. Irene Nyamu

Chief Executive Officer, Head of the Secretariat, RELI Africa