Strategic context
Investing in girls’ education advances gender equality, economic growth, social cohesion, and sustainable development.
Continental convening • Nairobi 2026
THE 4TH FAWE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GIRLS’ EDUCATION IN AFRICA
Investing in Her Future: Accelerating gender-transformative education for African girls through sustainable financing and innovation.
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Why this conference now
The conference responds to financing, youth leadership, innovation, technology, policy, capacity, and accountability gaps.
Programme
High-level plenaries, thematic breakouts, youth-led dialogues, innovation exhibitions, networking, and partnerships.
Registration open
A USD 100 fee gives participants access to plenaries, parallel discussions, and side events.
Conference venue
The conference will take place at Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi on Mombasa Road, near JKIA.
Inquiries
For conference information, contact FAWE at girlsconference@fawe.org or +254 714 606 629.
Rationale
The implementation gaps this conference tackles.
The concept note positions sustainable financing, innovation, technology, partnerships, accountability, and youth leadership as mutually reinforcing levers for systemic change.
Sustainable financing gaps
Gender-transformative education financing remains below benchmarks, with limited gender-responsive budgeting, Africa-centric solutions, and expenditure tracking.
Youth voice and leadership gaps
Girls and young people are directly affected by education financing decisions, yet remain underrepresented in policy and governance spaces.
Innovation, technology and partnership gaps
EdTech has transformative potential, but access is uneven and many solutions do not address gender-specific constraints, especially in rural and fragile contexts.
Policy, capacity and accountability gaps
Fragmented policies, weak institutional capacity, and limited accountability undermine the impact of education financing.
01 • About
A premier continental platform for girls’ education in Africa.
THE 4TH FAWE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GIRLS’ EDUCATION IN AFRICA advances girls’ education through political leadership, sustainable financing, innovation, and accountability.
Held every three years
Political commitment. Sustainable financing. Innovation.
The conference brings together policymakers, educators, researchers, youth leaders, civil society actors, and development partners to champion gender-transformative and inclusive education systems.
4thFAWE international conference
2High-level event days
100USD registration fee
Venue and date
Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi, Mombasa Road, near JKIA. 17-18 November 2026.
02 • Objectives
From dialogue to commitments.
THE 4TH FAWE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GIRLS’ EDUCATION IN AFRICA aims to mobilize commitments, elevate youth leadership, promote innovation, and strengthen policy coherence and accountability.
03 • Sub-themes
Four strategic focus areas.
Each sub-theme includes proposed tracks that connect financing, youth leadership, digital innovation, policy coherence, partnerships, and accountability.
Sustainable Financing for Gender-Transformative Education
Domestic resource mobilization, gender-transformative budgeting, innovative financing instruments, public-private partnerships, development cooperation, and impact measurement.
Youth Voices and Leadership in Education Financing and Policy
Youth participation in planning and oversight, leadership development, mentorship, youth-led solutions, accountability, and advocacy.
Harnessing Technology and Digital Innovation for Girls’ Education
Inclusive EdTech financing, closing the gender digital divide, STEM opportunities, connectivity, data, innovation ecosystems, and evidence-based policymaking.
Gender-Transformative Partnerships, Financing and Accountability
Multi-sector partnerships, private sector engagement, policy coherence, institutional capacity, governance, transparency, and shared accountability for results.
Conference tracks
Proposed tracks by sub-theme.
The tracks come from Section 5 of the concept note and connect the four strategic sub-themes to practical policy, financing, innovation, and accountability conversations.
Sub-theme 5.1
Sustainable Financing for Gender-Transformative Education
Track 1
Policy and Budget Commitments
Focus on government commitments to increase domestic financing, institutionalize gender-transformative budgeting, and align national education budgets with SDG 4, SDG 5, and AU priorities.
Track 2
Innovative and Blended Financing Mechanisms
Showcase and advance results-based financing, public-private partnerships, philanthropy, and blended finance models to sustainably fund girls’ education at scale.
Track 3
Financing Accountability and Impact Measurement
Strengthen systems for expenditure tracking, results monitoring, and public accountability to ensure resources translate into measurable gains for girls’ education.
Sub-theme 5.2
Youth Voices and Leadership in Education Financing and Policy
Track 1
Youth Participation in Policy and Budget Processes
Institutionalize mechanisms for youth engagement in education planning, financing, and oversight at national and regional levels.
Track 2
Leadership Development and Mentorship
Strengthen youth leadership through structured mentorship, capacity building, and intergenerational dialogue platforms.
Track 3
Youth-Led Solutions, Accountability and Advocacy
Support youth-driven solutions, monitoring, advocacy, and social accountability initiatives to influence education financing and policy implementation.
Sub-theme 5.3
Harnessing Technology and Digital Innovation for Girls’ Education
Track 1
Financing Inclusive EdTech Solutions
Mobilize investments to design, scale, and sustain gender-transformative digital learning solutions targeting marginalized girls and girls in hard-to-reach communities.
Track 2
Closing the Gender Digital Divide
Strengthen policies, digital infrastructure, and skills development to ensure girls’ equitable access to digital technologies, reliable connectivity, quality STEM learning opportunities, and seamless transitions from education to the world of work.
Track 3
Data, Innovation, and Learning Systems
Promote the use of data, evidence, and innovation ecosystems to inform policy decisions, scale effective solutions, and improve learning outcomes.
Sub-theme 5.4
Gender-Transformative Partnerships, Financing and Accountability
Track 1
Multi-Sectoral Partnerships and Private Sector Engagement for Scale
Catalyze collaboration among governments, private sector, civil society, academia, and development partners to mobilize financing, drive innovation, build skills, and scale proven gender-responsive education models.
Track 2
Gender-Transformative Policy Coherence and Institutional Capacity
Strengthen alignment across education, finance, and gender policies, and enhance institutional capacities for planning, budgeting, implementation, and oversight of gender-transformative education financing.
Track 3
Governance, Transparency, and Shared Accountability for Results
Advance governance reforms, transparency tools, and joint monitoring and accountability frameworks to track commitments, investments, and outcomes, ensuring equitable resource allocation and measurable impact for girls’ education.
Aligned references include SDG 4, SDG 5, CESA 2026-2035, and AU Agenda 2063.
04 • Programme
Two-day conference structure.
The conference will feature high-level plenaries, thematic breakout sessions, youth-led dialogues, innovation exhibitions, and structured networking forums.
Opening
High-level plenary sessions
Keynote addresses from political leaders, development partners, and thought leaders.
Dialogue
Thematic breakout sessions
Parallel discussions aligned with sustainable financing, youth leadership, digital innovation, and accountability sub-themes.
Youth
Youth-led dialogues
Intergenerational conversations on education financing, governance, advocacy, and accountability.
Showcase
Innovation exhibitions
Successful programmes, technologies, and financing models that can improve access, retention, completion, and learning outcomes.
Networks
Structured networking forums
Partnership forums designed to catalyze collaboration and investment across governments, civil society, academia, private sector, and development partners.
Policy
Policy and financing recommendations
Evidence-based recommendations aligned with SDG 4 and SDG 5, CESA 2026-2035, and AU Agenda 2063.
Action
Closing reflections and next steps
A moderated synthesis of key discussions and next-step pathways for accelerating gender-transformative education across Africa.
Close
Conference report and next steps
A comprehensive synthesis of proceedings, commitments, and next steps for national, regional, and continental stakeholders.
05 • Outputs and outcomes
What the conference will generate.
Section 6 of the concept note defines five expected outputs that move the conference from dialogue into implementation, accountability, and shared follow-up.
Joint communiqué and call to action
A consolidated continental communiqué outlining priority actions, commitments, and collaborative strategies.
Youth-led action plans and accountability frameworks
Youth-driven policy asks, advocacy plans, and mechanisms for monitoring education financing and gender-responsive policy implementation.
Policy and financing recommendations
Evidence-based recommendations aligned with SDG 4 and SDG 5, CESA 2026-2035, and AU Agenda 2063.
Partnership and innovation compendium
A compiled showcase of scalable EdTech and gender-responsive innovations, partnership models, and promising practices.
Conference report
A comprehensive synthesis of proceedings, commitments, and next steps for stakeholders at national, regional, and continental levels.
The conference will culminate in the adoption of the joint communiqué and call to action.
Registration
Registration is open.
Stakeholders from Africa and beyond are invited to secure their place at this premier convening focused on girls’ education and gender equality in and through education.
✓USD 100 registration fee
✓Full access to plenary sessions, parallel discussions, and side events
✓Early registration is encouraged for smooth planning and logistics
06 • Who attends
The right people in one room.
A focused continental mix of policy, finance, practice, research, innovation, media, and youth voice.
Policymakers
Government and policy leadershipDevelopment partners
Financing and cooperationEducators and researchers
Evidence, learning, and practiceCivil society actors
Advocacy and implementationYouth leaders
Leadership, voice, and accountabilityPrivate sector partners
Innovation, skills, and scaleTechnology and innovation actors
EdTech, STEM, data, and learning systemsRegional and global stakeholders
Continental and global alignment
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The conference strengthens policy coherence, accountability mechanisms, and alignment of national and regional priorities.
Your Stay
Nairobi delegate guide.
A cleaner travel dashboard for arrival, movement, health, money, accommodation, dining, and delegate support.
Welcome to Nairobi
Kenya’s capital is a regional hub for diplomacy, education, innovation, conservation, and enterprise. Plan early, allow for traffic, and follow official FAWE updates.
Venue
Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi
Mombasa Road, Nairobi, near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
Open map →Conference venue
Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi, Mombasa Road, near Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
View map →Accommodation
Delegates are encouraged to plan accommodation early and follow official FAWE travel guidance.
Travel updates →Airport pick-up
FAWE does not facilitate airport pick-up. Delegates may use airport taxis, Uber, Bolt, Little Cab, hotel transfers, and other taxi-hailing options.
Travel contacts →Visa and eTA
Kenya offers visa-free entry provisions for African delegates. Non-African delegates and anyone unsure of exemption status should verify requirements on the official eTA platform.
Open eTA →Wellness
Travel with insurance, personal medication, and emergency contacts.
Health contacts →Banks & money
Kenya uses KES. Cards are common in hotels and malls; carry some cash.
Money tips →Restaurants
Nairobi offers hotel dining, Kenyan cuisine, cafes, and international restaurants for delegates.
Dining guidance →Delegate support
Registration, badges, shuttles, access, media and lost-and-found support.
Ask support →Travel assistance
Arrange medical and travel insurance before departure.
Safety contacts →Arrival notes
Declare restricted or high-value items and keep receipts for equipment.
Customs tips →Host city
Conference infrastructure, culture, conservation sites, restaurants and institutions.
City guide →Airport & venue
Plan independent transfers between JKIA, your hotel, and Argyle Grand Hotel Nairobi using reputable transport providers.
Updates →Places to visit
See Nairobi between sessions.
Optional delegate experiences for free evenings, post-conference afternoons, or partner-hosted cultural moments.
Wildlife
Nairobi National Park
A rare capital-city safari experience close to the city.
Conservation
Giraffe Centre
Learn about giraffe conservation in Lang’ata.
History
Karen Blixen Museum
A heritage stop linked to Nairobi’s Karen area.
Nature
Karura Forest
Walking trails, waterfalls, greenery, and calm.
Craft
Maasai Market
Local crafts, beadwork, fabrics, and souvenirs.
City
KICC Viewpoint
Panoramic city views when access is available.
Leisure
Karen & Lang’ata
Dining, museums, conservation stops, and leafy escapes.
Dining
Nairobi food scene
From Kenyan grills to cafes and international restaurants.
Media Centre
Media centre.
Official conference media resources, press information, visual assets, and event updates will be centralized here for delegates and media partners.
2026 Conference Photos
Official galleries, daily highlights, partner moments, and media-ready images.
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VideosConference Videos
Livestreams, interviews, keynotes, and recap clips.
Partner
Partnership information coming soon.
FAWE will share partnership details, packages, and collaboration pathways once they are finalized.
Contacts and safety
Conference inquiries and safety information.
For conference inquiries, contact FAWE at girlsconference@fawe.org or +254 714 606 629. Delegates should follow official safety and logistics guidance shared before the conference.
FAWEgirlsconference@fawe.orgOfficial conference inquiry email from the concept note.
FAWE+254 714 606 629Official conference inquiry phone number from the concept note.
Emergency999Kenya ambulance, fire, and police emergency line.
Nairobi Fire020 222 2181Nairobi County fire brigade headquarters.
Disaster Support0800 721 571National Disaster Operations Centre toll-free line.
eTA Support+254 717 436 070Kenya eTA support line for travel authorization queries.
Venue SecurityOfficial updateVenue security guidance will be shared with registered delegates.
Medical DeskOfficial updateOn-site medical support information will be included in delegate communications.
Help DeskOfficial updateConference support channels will be provided to registered delegates.
Delegates should save these contacts before travel and verify final venue, medical desk, and shuttle contacts from official FAWE conference communications closer to the event.