Senegal has officially launched the implementation of the Education and Skills Data Challenge (ESDC), a continental initiative led by the Association for the Development of Education in Africa (ADEA) and supported by the Mastercard Foundation through the Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL). The launch marks an important milestone in the country’s efforts to strengthen the production, analysis, and use of education and skills data to support evidence-based policymaking.

The official ceremony took place at the Habib Thiam Ministerial Sphere in Diamniadio and brought together representatives from the Ministry of National Education, the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the Ministry of Technical Education, Vocational Training and Employment, as well as officials from the National Agency for Statistics and Demography (ANSD), the National School of Statistics and Economic Analysis (ENSAE), ADEA, and technical experts involved in education data systems.

Opening the event, Mr. Cheikhna Lam, Director of Planning and Reform at the Ministry of National Education, highlighted the strategic importance of reliable data in improving education systems. He emphasized that the ESDC initiative goes beyond technical capacity development and aims to strengthen the production, analysis, and use of education statistics to inform public policy and sector planning.

Representing the Ministry of Technical Education, Vocational Training and Employment, Mr. El Hadji Mamadou Gningue reaffirmed his institution’s commitment to the successful implementation of the initiative and stressed the importance of collaboration among the three ministries participating in Senegal’s unified education sector programme.

Speaking on behalf of the Director General of ANSD, Mr. Idrissa Diagne, Director of ENSAE, underscored Senegal’s strong performance in official statistics, noting that the country ranked first in Africa on the World Bank Statistical Performance Index in 2024. While recognizing these achievements, he highlighted persistent challenges related to data harmonization, the integration of new data sources, and the effective use of data in decision-making processes.

“Projects such as ESDC provide a concrete response to these challenges by equipping education sector actors with the skills and tools needed to transform data into action,” he noted.

Representing ADEA Executive Secretary Albert Nsengiyumva, ESDC Project Manager Eugène Yombo presented the continental vision behind the initiative. He emphasized that data has become a critical driver of education transformation across Africa, enabling countries to identify challenges, monitor progress, and guide policy reforms.

Although significant progress has been made in recent years, many countries continue to face challenges related to data quality, accessibility, and use. Through ESDC, ADEA aims to support up to 30 African countries in strengthening education and skills data systems and fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making.

“Quality data is no longer optional. It is essential for planning, monitoring, evaluating, and improving education systems. Through ESDC, we are helping countries build the capacity to use data as a strategic asset for development,” said Mr. Yombo.

On behalf of the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, Professor El Hadji Omar Thiam described data as a strategic resource comparable to financial and human capital. He emphasized that decisions related to student orientation, resource allocation, programme design, and educational reforms increasingly depend on reliable and timely data.

The launch event also featured a presentation of the national capacity-building programme that will be implemented through ENSAE. The programme includes six training modules covering advanced Excel and VBA automation, data processing and analysis using R, interpretation of education indicators, spatial analysis with QGIS, data governance and protection, and foundational Excel skills for decentralized education services.

The training programme will be delivered between June and October 2026 through multiple cohorts involving officials from the three partner ministries. Participants will also benefit from mentoring support, digital learning resources, and practical assignments designed to strengthen the application of acquired skills in their daily work.

Beyond training, the initiative seeks to institutionalize data use across the education sector and promote stronger collaboration between ministries, statistical institutions, and development partners. It also aims to strengthen peer learning and knowledge exchange across African countries participating in the ESDC programme.

By launching the ESDC initiative, Senegal reaffirms its commitment to strengthening data-driven governance and consolidating its position as a continental leader in statistics and evidence-based policymaking. More than a capacity-building programme, ESDC represents a strategic investment in building a data culture capable of improving education outcomes, strengthening skills development systems, and supporting the country's long-term human capital development agenda.