This policy brief addresses the urgent need for a robust system to track and enhance Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education across Africa. The continent faces significant challenges, including a rapidly growing population, high youth unemployment, and the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Improving STEM education at the basic learning levels is identified as a strategic response to these issues, equipping youth with essential skills for emerging STEM careers.

However, the current state of STEM education in Africa is hindered by inconsistent data on enrollment and performance, a lack of comprehensive benchmarks and standards, and insufficient resources dedicated to quality assurance. Existing quality assurance departments are often understaffed and lack specialized STEM personnel.

The brief recommends developing and implementing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework to ensure consistency and reliability in tracking STEM education quality. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) should be established at national, regional, and school levels. Additionally, the brief suggests initiating regional assessment programs and comparative analyses of national examinations to identify and address performance trends. These measures aim to improve the quality of STEM education, ultimately contributing to youth employment and economic prosperity in Africa.