Press Release: AAU and Partners Launch RELANCE Project to Expand Education Access to 850,000 Youth Across the Sahel

Accra, May 04, 2026 – The Association of African Universities (AAU) is leading the implementation of the Sahel Regional Engagement for Learning and Collaboration in Education (RELANCE) project, a game-changing regional initiative designed to strengthen education systems and expand access to learning and employment opportunities for vulnerable youth across the Sahel.
Funded by the World Bank and the Federal Republic of Germany, in collaboration with the governments of Chad and Mauritania, RELANCE targets some of the most underserved populations in the region, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and nomadic communities. With an investment of USD 137 million, the project adopts a coordinated continental approach to address systemic education challenges while advancing inclusion, resilience and long-term impact.
RELANCE is structured around three core components:

• Establishing a regional institute for applied research, policy advisory, and training to support education professionals and improve learning outcomes, benefiting at least 1,500 education professionals across both countries.
• Introducing a flexible Open School model to provide alternative education and vocational training opportunities for out-of-school youth, with a focus on climate resilience and digital learning. The initiative is expected to reach up to 850,000 young people, at least half of whom are female.
• Supporting coordinated project management through regional and national structures, with robust monitoring, evaluation, and financial management systems.

The project places a strong emphasis on gender equality, promoting girls’ enrollment and retention through targeted incentives and the development of gender-responsive learning environments.

As the Regional Facilitation Unit, the AAU will provide strategic oversight and coordination, ensuring effective implementation, stakeholder engagement, performance monitoring, and visibility of project outcomes across the region. The project will be coordinated by Dr. Abass Youba Sylla, a Mauritanian national and AAU staff member with extensive experience in managing large-scale development initiatives, who is based at the Project Secretariat in Chad.

The urgency of this intervention is underscored by stark regional realities. In the Central Sahel, one in three young people is out of school, while many others have limited access to meaningful employment opportunities. In Chad, 57% of primary-school-aged children are out of school, while in Mauritania, 45% of secondary-school-aged youth are not in school, significantly constraining their future prospects and reinforcing cycles of poverty and vulnerability.

Globally, the challenge is equally pressing. According to recent data, 46% of school-aged refugee children are out of school, and access to higher education remains extremely limited. RELANCE responds directly to these gaps by creating inclusive pathways for learning and skills development tailored to the needs of vulnerable populations.

Speaking on the initiative, Prof. Olusola B. Oyewole, Secretary-General of the AAU, noted: “RELANCE resonates directly with the AAU’s continental mandate, to connect institutions, shape policies, and advance inclusive education systems that respond to Africa’s evolving development priorities. For the AAU, it represents both an opportunity and a responsibility to further support the strengthening of education systems and expanding access to learning in one of the continent’s most challenging regions, while reinforcing our presence and sustained engagement in Chad as a strategic hub for the Sahel.”

Dr. Sylvia Mkandawire, Director of Special Projects at AAU, added:
“This project allows us to operationalize innovative approaches to education delivery, particularly for vulnerable communities. By combining flexible learning models, digital tools, and regional coordination, RELANCE is helping to redefine how education systems respond in fragile and complex contexts.”

Through RELANCE, the AAU and its partners are advancing a shared vision of inclusive, resilient, and opportunity-driven education systems, capable of transforming lives and supporting sustainable development across the Sahel region and Africa.

For further information and enquiries, contact:
Dr. Sylvia Mkandawire, email: smkandawire@aau.org
Director, Special Projects, Association of African Universities