Speech Bay DR John mugo.Executive, Director.Thank you very much. It is truly a pleasure to stand here and see all of you, and to reflect on the journey we have been on together.

Story by Ayubu John Afrimedia Group news.Thank you very much. It is truly a pleasure to stand here and see all of you, and to reflect on the journey we have been on together.

As Sarah mentioned earlier, this has not only been a journey of faith and bold risk-taking, but also a journey of friendship. When I look around this room, I see people who have walked this path together. I hesitate to single out anyone for recognition because I might unintentionally leave someone out—but the truth is, we have all been part of this journey.

This evening is really about coming together again and recommitting ourselves, because I do not believe we will stop until we achieve what we set out to achieve. The challenge of children not learning is still very real. At the same time, we must also celebrate the progress we have made.

When I think about this work—as a Kenyan, alongside colleagues from Uganda, Tanzania, and many other countries—it becomes clear that the issue of our children’s education is deeply personal. Sometimes people ask me, “Don’t you think you are doing too many things?” My response is simple: how can we stop when the work is not yet finished?

Nuru represents the 11 million children currently attending our primary schools. Recently, together with Dr. Emmanuel Manyika, we released a plenary report showing that while we have made meaningful progress, we are still far from where we need to be.

However, I strongly believe that with God’s blessing, by 2040 we will celebrate a milestone—80% of our children reading with comprehension by the end of Grade 3. I say this with confidence because I believe that none of us here intends to retire from this mission while children are still failing to learn.

This child—Nuru—represents millions of children we have met along the way. They remind us why we do this work.

At the core of our approach is the foundation of learning. We often repeat this message because it is essential. We cannot keep focusing only on universities, TVET programs, and higher education while the foundation remains weak. It is like mopping the floor while the tap is still running. Instead, we must strengthen teacher preparation and focus on foundational learning so that children acquire the basic skills they need.

This is why Mission 2040 is so important. Some people ask why we are planning for fifteen years. But we have learned from government and other institutions that long-term planning allows real transformation. We are thinking about generations, not just projects. We are focusing on systems, not short-term programs.

Our strategies are clear. About 80% of our focus will remain on learners aged 4 to 12 years—from pre-primary through the end of primary school—because this is where literacy, numeracy, and foundational learning are established.

At the same time, we recognize the importance of early childhood development, including children aged 0–3. While this may not be our primary focus, we must encourage parents and communities to stimulate learning early—talking to babies, asking questions, and nurturing curiosity instead of silencing children.

Another important shift involves young people themselves. In the past, we saw youth mainly as beneficiaries of programs. Today, we see them as leaders and drivers of change. In Kenya alone, more than 200,000 young people are currently studying to become teachers. These young people come from the same communities where children struggle to read. If we unlock their potential, the dream of every child reading becomes achievable.

Our ambition is bold. By 2040, we aim to support at least 10 million children across our country to achieve foundational learning competencies. At the same time, our collaborative work will expand across more than 10 African countries, strengthening systems that produce the outcomes we all want to see.

The vision remains the same: that all children and youth in Africa have the foundation to learn, relate, and thrive. One important addition is the word “relate.” Relationships matter. Young people grow, gain confidence, and lead when they are supported by strong networks and communities—just like the one we see in this room today.