African Center for Early Childhood Development

30/01/2026

AfC-ECD Holds Thematic Technical Working Groups Meeting

The African Center for Early Childhood Development (AfC-ECD) held its Thematic Technical Working Groups (TWGs) meeting on January 28, 2026, with the aim of strengthening cooperation, knowledge sharing, and joint learning among key stakeholders in the national Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector.

The TWGs bring together multidisciplinary experts from health, education, and other social sectors who are actively engaged in advancing ECD initiatives.

Speaking at the meeting, AfC-ECD Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Kebede Worku, emphasized that members of the Technical Working Groups are expected to play a pivotal role in the success of the Center. He called on TWG members to provide their full support by generating practical, evidence-based recommendations to guide research priorities and programmatic agendas.

Deputy CEO of AfC-ECD, Dr. Meseret Zelalem, expressed her confidence that the TWGs will continue to serve as strong pillars of technical and strategic support for the Center in the years ahead.

During the meeting, participants reviewed progress updates from each TWG and discussed key ECD documents, including the draft Individual Child Tracking Guide and the Vulnerable Household Identification Tool. The meeting also reflected on the preparation works of successfully organizing a first-ever International Early Childhood Development Conference held in Addis Ababa scheduled for May 2026.

AfC-ECD established five Thematic Technical Working Groups in November 2024 to promote innovative approaches to advancing ECD in Addis Ababa, at the national level, and across Africa, while also identifying priority areas for research.

The five TWGs—Parenting; Child Health and Nutrition; Pre-primary Education/Early Learning; Workforce, Standards and Quality Assurance (WSQA); Equity in ECD; and Research, Innovation and Technology (RIT)—are composed of experts from public institutions, civil society organizations, and UN agencies. Each group presented its performance report during the meeting.

20/01/2026

https://x.com/afcecd1/status/2013737668706710012?s=20

20/01/2026

AfC-ECD Experts Visit Mombasa to Strengthen Child Development Systems in Kenya

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — A delegation of experts from the African Centre for Early Childhood Development (AfC-ECD) has completed a technical visit to Kenya’s Mombasa County aiming at taking a significant step toward strengthening early childhood development (ECD) systems in the county.

The visit, held from 11 to 14 January 2026 at the invitation of the Mombasa County Government, focused on assessing existing early childhood services and laying the groundwork for a comprehensive county-wide ECD baseline study.

The initiative aims to generate robust evidence to guide policy, investment, and service delivery for children in their earliest and most critical years of life through conducting an ECD baseline study in Mombasa with technical support of Addis Ababa’s AfC-ECD.

Early childhood development — encompassing health, nutrition, early learning, caregiving, and protection — is increasingly recognised as a cornerstone of human capital development. In Kenya’s devolved governance system, county governments play a central role in delivering ECD services, placing Mombasa at the forefront of efforts to translate national policy into local action.

The AfC-ECD delegation, led by Dr. Meseret Zelalem, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and comprising of other three members - Dr. Tabor Gebre-Medhin, Technical and Regional Advisor , Dr Natnael Asres Yamnew, Director of Program and Strategic Partnerships and Dr.Sintayehu Abate Senior Research Advisor engaged with county leadership, including the governor’s office, mayoral representatives, and officials from education, health, nutrition, planning, and social development departments.

During the visit, the AfC-ECD delegation was warmly welcomed and received by Mombasa County Governor, HE. Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir and his Ministers pertinent to ECD operation and coordination and toured model pre-primary schools, home-based daycare centres, public health facilities, and community spaces.

The team observed both promising practices and persistent challenges in delivering quality early childhood services in an urban coastal context marked by rapid population growth, informal settlements, and increasing demand for childcare.

“Mombasa County has demonstrated strong political commitment to early childhood development,” the AfC-ECD team noted, highlighting well-functioning model early childhood education centres and school feeding programmes.
However, they also identified gaps, including limited regulation of home-based daycare centres, shortages of safe outdoor play spaces, and missed opportunities to integrate parenting support and early stimulation into routine health services.
A key outcome of the visit was agreement in principle to undertake a comprehensive ECD baseline study covering child development outcomes, nutrition status, school readiness, caregiving practices, and the availability and quality of services across the county. The study will be led technically by AfC-ECD, with operational support from academic partners and financing and coordination from the county government, supported by international philanthropy.
County leaders welcomed the collaboration, describing evidence-based planning as essential for ensuring equitable services for all children. “We want to make Mombasa the best city for every child,” county officials said during high-level discussions.
The partnership is expected to extend beyond data collection to longer-term system strengthening, including the development of daycare standards, improved quality assurance mechanisms, and integration of ECD services across health, education, and social sectors.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could position Mombasa as a model for urban early childhood development in Africa, demonstrating how local governments can translate research and political commitment into lasting impact for young children and their families.

14/01/2026

This excerpt is from a video statement by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed https://www.pmo.gov.et/pm/ on Early Childhood Development (ECD), delivered during his national address marking the launch of Ethiopia’s new international airport.

“Early Childhood Development (ECD) is a focused and sustained effort centered on children. Over the past five to six years, we have constructed more than 35,000 kindergartens across Ethiopia. During the same period, we have developed numerous green spaces to promote children’s physical well-being and support their social interaction with peers. In Addis Ababa alone, we have built more than 1,600 small stadiums for young children. These initiatives are designed to lay a strong foundation for our national vision of human development, nurturing growth from the earliest stages of life.”

31/12/2025

AfC-ECD Hosts High-Level ECD Baseline Survey Dissemination Workshop in Central Ethiopia National Regional State

The African Center for Early Childhood Development (AfC-ECD), in partnership with the Central Ethiopia National Regional State, convened a high-level workshop today, December 31, 2025 , to disseminate and discuss the findings of the region’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) baseline survey in Worabe Town .

Held in Worabe Town, the event brought together senior regional officials, including the Deputy President and Social Cluster Coordinator, the Head of the Regional Education Bureau, Mr. Anteneh Fikadu, as well as bureau heads from Women and Children Affairs, Education, and Health. Members of the Regional ECD Coordination Committee, representatives from Wachemo University, and other relevant regional institutions also participated.

The workshop featured presentations on the key findings of the baseline survey, followed by interactive discussions and a high-level panel dialogue that examined the study outcomes and broader ECD priorities in the region.

Participants emphasized the importance of strengthening multisectoral collaboration, expanding equitable access to early learning, and improving health and child protection services to support optimal child development across the region.
The event also reflected on AfC-ECD’s ongoing efforts to support evidence-based ECD policy planning. On March 21, 2025, AfC-ECD signed agreements with three universities, including Wachemo University, to undertake baseline studies on the State of Early Childhood Development.

Building on this initiative, the Center has already completed similar baseline surveys in the Amhara and Sidama National Regional States, followed by successful high-level dissemination workshops in Bahir Dar and Hawassa in recent months.
These studies form part of AfC-ECD’s broader mission to generate critical data that informs regional ECD policies, planning, and investment decisions.

AfC-ECD reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Central Ethiopia’s ECD agenda through research, capacity building, and sustained stakeholder engagement.
Mr. Anteneh Fikadu, Deputy President of the Central Ethiopia National Regional State, who was present at the event, stated that strong efforts are underway to ensure equitable benefits for young children through holistic Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs. Speaking at a high-level baseline survey dissemination workshop in Worabe town—organized by AfC-ECD in collaboration with the regional government and presented by researchers from Wachemo University and AfC-ECD—he emphasized that early childhood forms the foundation for future productivity, creativity, and national development.
He also highlighted progress in legal frameworks on food and nutrition, expansion of school feeding, and capacity-building for more than 5,000 pre-primary facilitators to develop local play-based learning materials.
Regional bureau leaders reinforced the importance of community-partner coordination to address nutrition, health, protection, and child-friendly environments. The Regional Health Bureau noted ongoing work to strengthen maternal and child services, nutrition awareness, and cognitive-supportive play spaces in health facilities. The Women and Children Affairs Bureau underscored child rights protection, safe participation, and the critical role of parent-centered and women-network collaboration in nurturing future leaders.
AfC-ECD CEO, Dr. Kebede Worku, expressed gratitude to participants and stressed that the survey marks a milestone for data-driven ECD planning in the region. He acknowledged limitations due to emerging research experience in Ethiopia and called for urgent attention to high developmental challenges and stunting rates among children under 3. Dr. Kebede outlined key roadmap priorities—including integrated health-ECD services, parenting support through the health extension system, expansion of pre-primary schools, day-care centers, and safe play spaces—and affirmed the region’s political commitment. He concluded that releasing the results is only the start, urging swift finalization and full implementation of the regional ECD roadmap.

25/12/2025

Our CEO, Dr. Kebede Worku, was featured in an exclusive interview on Addis TV, part of the Addis Media Network (AMN). Don’t miss the insights—watch the full interview here:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15usyTAWJH/

This episode showcases Ethiopia’s significant progress in early childhood development, with a special focus on efforts to position Addis Ababa as one of Afri...

25/12/2025

Our CEO, Dr. Kebede Worku, was featured in an exclusive interview on Addis TV, part of the Addis Media Network (AMN). Don’t miss the insights—watch the full interview here:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15usyTAWJH/

This episode showcases Ethiopia’s significant progress in early childhood development, with a special focus on efforts to position Addis Ababa as one of Afri...

18/12/2025

17/12/2025

AfC-ECD Participates in “Act for Early Years” campaign at South Africa’s G20 Summit Sideline Event
December 2025
The African Center for Early Childhood Development (AfC-ECD) is delighted to be represented by Deputy CEO of the center Dr. Meseret Zelalem at the “Act for Early Years” campaign in the sideline of the South Africa’s G20 Summit organized by the Roger Federer Foundation and Brookings Institution end of November 2025.

Our center is enchanted to be part of that auspicious event where the leaders, with their declaration, pledged to advance Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) as a vital investment in social and economic development.

In connection with the event, Dr. Meseret has expressed her pleasure for realizing the inclusion of early childhood care and education in the leaders’ declaration for the first time in the history of G20.

According to Dr. Meseret, the leaders’ commitment reflected in embracing childhood development and care is a great leverage for the Early Childhood Development (ECD) global community to advance issues of ECD and secure financial investments and technical supports at a global level.

At the occasion, it was indicated that the early education sector is currently facing a shortfall of approximately 9 million teachers and global leaders were urged to commit their support for early childhood care and education.

Dr. Meseret also took part at the “Global Youth Ambassadors” event that champions the early years at G20 summit. The young campaigners made a major impact at the South Africa 2025 G20 Summit by turning up the pressure on leaders to protect the world’s youngest children.

On behalf of the Act For Early Years campaign, “Their world” Global Youth Ambassadors were in South Africa to urge the biggest economies to invest in the future of millions of under-fives who need quality healthcare, childcare and preschool education.

17/12/2025

Amhara National Regional State Calls for Stronger Collaboration to Advance ECD
December 2025
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia — November 30, 2025 — The Amhara National Regional State has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to advance Early Childhood Development (ECD) and ensure that children under the age of seven reach their full developmental potential.

The appeal was issued in Bahir Dar during the official release of a landmark baseline ECD survey conducted by the African Center For Early Childhood Development (AfC-ECD) in partnership with Bahir Dar University.

Opening the event, Dr. Mulunesh Desse, Deputy President and Head of the Regional Social Development Cluster, emphasized the urgency of modernizing Ethiopia’s approach to maternal and child care. She underscored the need for evidence-based ECD systems guided by science and reinforced the importance of community engagement.

Delivering welcoming remarks, Dr. Kebede Worku, CEO of AfC-ECD, described the release of the baseline survey as a “critical milestone” in the region’s efforts to strengthen child health, education, safety, and holistic development.

Dr. Kebede noted that the findings will guide the development of a comprehensive regional ECD strategic roadmap that sets priorities from conception to age six—ensuring access to quality early learning, adequate nutrition, safe environments, responsive caregiving, and integrated services within the health system. The roadmap will also support implementation, monitoring, and accountability efforts.

The survey’s detailed findings were presented by Dr. Sintayehu Abate, Senior Research Advisor at AfC-ECD, and Professor Netsanet Fantahun of Bahir Dar University. Dr. Sintayehu explained that the study covered major zonal towns and surrounding rural districts organized into six clusters.

The results reveal significant developmental risks across the region, driven by malnutrition, limited access to early learning, low parental education, and weak coordination among sectors. Notably, 21.7% of children under age three are developmentally off-track—more than four times the international benchmark of 5%. Rural children (23.1%) and those in low-income households (26.7%) are affected at even higher rates.

A panel discussion moderated by Dr Meseret Zelalem, Deputy Executive Officer of AfC-ECD, brought together officials from the Regional Social Cluster, Health, Education, and the Women, Children and Social Affairs Bureaus. Panelists discussed persistent ECD challenges and outlined priority actions for strengthening services and systems.

The study applied internationally validated research tools to assess service quality, parenting practices, and children’s developmental status. It was jointly conducted by the African Center for Early Childhood Development and Bahir Dar University Bahir Dar,Ethiopia, with financial and technical support from Big Win Philanthropy.

17/12/2025