Cambridge University Press & Assessment Holds First Sub-Saharan Africa Education Conference — Ghana
The Historic First
On Saturday, February 21, 2026, the International Education group at Cambridge University Press & Assessment celebrated its first-ever Cambridge International Schools Day in Sub-Saharan Africa, held at the International Community School in Accra, Ghana. The one-day conference brought together educators to explore how education can keep pace in an era of rapid change, focused on the theme "Future Ready: Navigating a Changing Educational Landscape."
What Inspired the Conference
The conference was built on insights from Cambridge's global study, "Preparing Learners to Thrive in a Changing World," which captures the perspectives of nearly 7,000 teachers and students across 150 countries on what it means to be ready for the future. The report highlighted several key priorities for action in education — including the need to strengthen students' self-management and communication skills, and to reframe the value of subject knowledge in the age of AI to ensure students are well prepared for life after education.
The Vision Behind It
Louise Hendey, Managing Director for Sub-Saharan Africa at Cambridge University Press & Assessment, delivered the keynote address titled "Leading through Chaos," which explored how school leaders can create coherence and calm in a world where digital overload, social fragmentation, and chronic exhaustion increasingly influence learners' wellbeing and engagement. She urged school leaders across Africa to build resilience and readiness in the face of rapid transformation.
Key Speakers and Their Focus Areas
Juan Visser, Cambridge's Regional Director for Sub-Saharan Africa, unpacked the findings of the global research report, while Niall McNulty, Product Lead for AI and Edtech at Cambridge, offered practical strategies for embracing AI confidently in schools. Interactive sessions allowed participants to explore topics including AI readiness for schools, metacognition, critical thinking, communication skills, and managing conflict productively.
Ghana's Role — A Local Voice
Araba Botchway, Executive Director of Admissions and Financial Aid at Ashesi University in Ghana, facilitated a breakout session titled "Subject Knowledge: Critical for Success in Higher Education and Beyond," emphasising that today's learners need to combine deep disciplinary understanding with transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability to thrive in diverse contexts beyond university.
Cambridge's Scale in Africa and the World
As the world's largest provider of international education for learners aged 3 to 19, Cambridge now serves nearly 2 million students every year, with more than 10,000 schools in 160 countries belonging to the Cambridge community.
Why This Matters for Africa
This conference is a significant milestone — it signals that Africa is no longer just a recipient of global education policy, but an active participant in shaping it. With AI transforming classrooms worldwide, having a major institution like Cambridge invest in a dedicated Sub-Saharan convening points to growing recognition of the continent's educational potential.
Sources
Graphic Online (Ghana) — Cambridge Conference Discusses Education in Africa
Citi Newsroom (Ghana) — Cambridge Conference Spotlights Future-Ready Education in Africa
The Daily Searchlight — Cambridge Conference Spotlights Future-Ready Education in Africa
The Business & Financial Times (Ghana) — Cambridge Conference Spotlights Future Ready Education in Africa
Ghanaian Times — Cambridge Conference Spotlights Future-Ready Education in Africa
The Herald Ghana — Cambridge Conference Spotlights Future-Ready Education in Africa