Strengthening foundational learning in Africa requires high-quality assessment data that informs instruction and policy. In September 2025, the Africa Foundational Learning Assessment Initiative (AFLAI) convened 13 ministries of education in Nairobi to co-create solutions, followed by the launch of a Knowledge Exchange Series of blogs and webinars to support stronger assessment systems. The latest blogs to be published highlight national efforts to develop early-grade literacy benchmarks suited to multilingual contexts.

South Africa’s 2019 Funda Uphumelele National Study (FUNS) analyzed data from over 35,000 learners in 11 languages, adapting EGRA to identify language-specific reading thresholds that now guide interventions, teacher training, and national monitoring. Kenya similarly revised its Grade 1-3 literacy benchmarks in English and Kiswahili through stakeholder-led processes, embedding clear reading levels into the Kenya Early Years Assessment and Competency-Based Curriculum.

These examples show the value of homegrown benchmarks grounded in local evidence rather than imported standards. Building on these lessons, AFLAI will host a 90-minute webinar on national literacy benchmarking in multilingual African contexts, focused on practical applications and shared challenges.

The webinar seeks to:

• To foster collaboration and peer learning among African countries on national literacy benchmarking approaches.
• Spotlight initiatives showcasing how ministries and partners are developing testing local benchmarks for foundational reading.

We hope to see you there!