A classroom piled up with desks.;Photo;Courtesy
A five-year philanthropic initiative will channel US$30 million into improving education systems in Kenya and Nigeria, focusing on children affected by conflict, displacement, and climate-related shocks.
The partnership is between the LEGO Foundation and Co-Impact.
The programme is expected to benefit about 2.5 million children by expanding access to learning and strengthening the quality and stability of public education systems in crisis-affected areas.
More than one in six children globally are affected by conflict or crisis, according to UNICEF (2024). While emergency aid addresses immediate needs, the partnership highlights the need for long-term philanthropic investment to support recovery and strengthen public systems.
“Education is about more than what happens in the classroom,” said Tarek Alami, Head of International Programmes at the LEGO Foundation.
“ When education is designed to meet the realities of trauma and displacement and when teachers, schools, and families are supported in that process, classrooms and communities can become places of stability, healing, and possibility.”
In many crisis-affected settings, children returning to school often face overcrowded classrooms, limited learning materials, and systems that are not equipped to respond to trauma or prolonged disruption, affecting both learning and attendance.
The initiative will support locally rooted and refugee-led efforts working alongside governments to strengthen public education systems.
Key areas include teacher support, improved school services, and better systems for responding to the needs of vulnerable learners.
“Making systems work for children affected by conflict and crisis is a responsibility and opportunity,” said Awo Ablo, President of Co-Impact.
“We know that when we back local leaders with long-term flexible funding and strategic support, they can work with governments to scale solutions through public systems.”
In Kenya, the focus includes expanding access to education for refugee children and supporting communities affected by climate shocks that have disrupted schooling for millions.
In Nigeria, where millions of children remain out of school, especially in conflict-affected regions, the partnership will support efforts to improve access, safety, and continuity of learning within public education systems.
Across both countries, the partnership aims to strengthen the conditions that enable learning, including school environments, teacher capacity, and support for vulnerable learners.
The effort also recognises that education outcomes are shaped not only by schools, but by broader conditions such as nutrition, healthcare, clean water, and safe communities.
It calls for stronger coordination between education and other essential services to ensure children receive more integrated support in crisis-affected settings.
By prioritising long-term, system-level investment, the programme aims to create lasting improvements in how education is delivered and experienced by children facing adversity.
Help us tell more untold stories of African Philanthropy!
To DONATE or Pledge: CLICK HERE
