Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa

Overview

The Regional Teachers Initiative for Africa (RTIA) is a partnership between the European Union, UNESCO, and the African Union Commission, designed to tackle the critical shortage of qualified teachers in Sub-Saharan Africa. By supporting teacher governance, professional development, and education reforms, the initiative ensures that schools have enough skilled, motivated, and inclusive teachers to deliver high-quality education for all.

With 15 million new qualified teachers needed by 2030, the RTIA addresses persistent challenges such as improving teacher training, working conditions, and professional development. Launched under the EU–Africa Global Gateway Investment Package and aligned with the African Union’s Continental Education Strategy for Africa and the Global Gateway Strategy, the RTIA fosters collaboration between African and European countries, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all.

Approach and objectives

The RTIA puts an emphasis on:

• Technical assistance for countries to support the development and implementation of policies, education, and professional development for teachers.
• Testing and scaling up of successful programmes on teacher education and training focusing on selected priorities (e.g. foundational learning, digital and green skills, gender-responsive pedagogy) including in crisis contexts.
• Research partnerships (regional and AU-EU) on teacher policies, their satisfaction and well-being, and evidence for better teacher governance and professional development.
• Strengthening regional capacity, coordination and frameworks (e.g. the implementation of the Continental Teacher Qualifications Framework and development of a continental digital competency framework for teachers).
• Regional knowledge sharing, advocacy, coordination and capacity building for teacher policy and professional development.

Within the RTIA, the Facility - supported by Belgium, France, and Finland - focuses on 3 key priorities:

1. Governance and policy through demand-driven technical assistance.
2. Teacher training and professional development through testing and scaling up innovative solutions.
3. Research and production of knowledge on teacher issues.

Opportunities for collaboration

The RTIA offers multiple opportunities for collaboration through its three Facility windows.

Facility Window 1: Demand-driven technical assistance

International and national expertise will be leveraged to support Sub-Saharan African countries in designing and implementing system reforms and policies, as well as strengthening capacity in areas such as teacher governance, education, and professional development.

Ministries of Education or equivalent organisations are eligible to apply for the technical assistance window. The Facility provides support through Country Action Plans (CAPs), which outline tailored steps for each country. These plans are developed in consultation with local education groups, EU representatives, and other agencies to ensure alignment with national needs and priorities.

This component is implemented by Expertise France, Enabel, and EDUFI. During its first phase, the Facility aims to assist at least 25 countries in developing and executing CAPs.

Facility Window 2: Teacher training and professional development

This window aims to test and scale effective programmes for teacher education and professional development in the thematic areas of digital skills, gender, green skills, and pedagogical skills, including in the context of refugees and displaced populations.

In June 2024, two Calls for Proposals (CfPs) were launched to enhance teacher education and professional development, focusing on innovation and addressing challenges in crisis contexts. Both calls for proposals are now closed, with future opportunities to be announced later.

Facility Window 3: Research and production of knowledge on teacher issues

This research window aims to generate new evidence and promote its integration into policy-making processes and the design of teacher education and professional development programmes.

A CfP was launched in September 2024 to support research on teacher governance, education, and professional development, prioritising the integration of findings into policies and training practices. It also seeks to encourage collaborations between European and African institutions, enhancing partnerships among universities and research centres.

Contact

For any questions or additional information about the RTIA, please contact requests@rtia-facility.eu.