Why we should harmonise higher education data for a sustainable future in East Africa

By Daniel Omanyo, ESSA and Paul Odhiambo

On Africa Universities’ Day, celebrated on 12th November, we recognise the power of harmonised higher education data to build resilient and inclusive educational systems in East Africa. Higher education data is critical for creating responsive and effective systems that benefit stakeholders and society. In a rapidly evolving digital world, data is crucial for decision-making, competitiveness and progress, including in higher education.

The East African Community (EAC) Vision 2050 prioritises improving access to education and completion rates, particularly at higher levels. Realising this vision depends on reliable and comprehensive higher education data. EAC member states must harmonise their data laws and standards. The EAC Data Governance Policy Framework will improve digital integration and security, and support regional data harmonisation. The Policy Framework aims to harmonise data governance across EAC member states to foster secure, efficient and inclusive digital systems for sustainable economic growth and regional integration. Aligned with the 2022 African Union Data Policy Framework, the EAC Data Policy Framework seeks to advance resilient and inclusive education systems, a fitting focus as we celebrate Africa Universities’ Day and its theme of building an African fit for the 21st century.

EAC policies recognise that a well-educated population is essential for productivity and innovation. While education is an important foundation of the EAC’s economic and social development, lack of sufficient higher education data hinders policy development, resource allocation, and educational equity. As the EAC expands, harmonising higher education data becomes essential for creating quality, relevant learning opportunities across diverse educational systems, supporting Africa Universities’ Day’s mission of fostering access to lifelong, high-quality education.  Moreover, higher education data is critical for informing the development and implementation of Science, Technology and Innovation policies in the region. EAC member states often collect disjointed data using different methods, which complicates regional comparisons. The region must harmonise data collection and management now that it has designated itself as a common higher education area. The Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) is collaborating with Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA), Population Reference Bureau (PRB), and the Association of African Universities (AAU) to develop guidelines for harmonisation, which are a significant step forward. This effort is part of the ongoing project titled Demographics of African Faculty in the East African Community, funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. This collaboration, spearheaded by organisations such as AAU—the institution that facilitates and organises events to mark the Africa Universities’ Day—demonstrates the commitment to building systems that support resilient and accessible higher education across the continent.

Despite these efforts, insights from ESSA show substantial data gaps across EAC member states, highlighting the need for continued focus on data harmonisation. Data availability varies significantly, and there are inconsistencies in discipline classification and national-level faculty data. Inconsistent measures within countries further complicate national-level estimates. As the IUCEA develops harmonised guidelines, it is imperative to prioritise key indicators, establish data collection departments in each higher education institution, and involve all stakeholders. Equally crucial is building university staff capacity in data collection approaches, storage, use, and dissemination, recognising that diverse users of higher education data include parents, students, investors, and other universities. Operationalisation of the harmonised guidelines will ensure data uniformity, enable cross-country comparison, and facilitate effective decision-making at national and regional levels. In addition, they will support the development of a regional higher education information management system, promoting data sharing and learning. The full realisation of this initiative requires collaboration across EAC institutions and higher education stakeholders in the region.

As we commemorate Africa Universities’ Day, the urgency to harmonise higher education data is evident. This is not just about data; it is about empowering every learner in East Africa. A unified data framework can drive equitable policies, foster innovation, and build resilient communities. Collaboration among governments, institutions, and communities is essential to transform education for sustainable development.

Dr. Omanyo is the Research Policy Manager at Education Sub Saharan Africa (ESSA). He leads the implementation of the Demographics of African Faculty project in the East African Community. Email: daniel@essa-africa.org. Mr. Odhiambo is an independent consultant on foreign policy, governance and higher education. Email: odhiodongo@gmail.com.