Zimbabwean wins Africa Education Medal

A Zimbabwean, CEO of CAMFED, Angeline Murimirwa, has been awarded the Africa Education Medal 2024, one of the continent’s most prestigious education accolades.

Founded by T4 Education and HP Inc., this medal recognises individuals who are transforming education across Africa, celebrating their impactful stories and leadership.

Murimirwa has dedicated her career to advancing girls’ education and women’s leadership through CAMFED, a grassroots NGO that tackles poverty and inequality.

A statement by T4 Education on Thursday said, “Having been one of the first girls supported by CAMFED to attend secondary school in Zimbabwe, she brings personal insight into the challenges girls face in accessing education.

“Under her leadership, CAMFED has implemented a proven model that enables marginalised girls to enroll in secondary school and thrive, ultimately graduating into secure livelihoods and leadership roles. This model focuses on engaging school communities to support the most disadvantaged girls, facilitating their transition to work or entrepreneurship, and partnering with governments to embed effective practices in national education systems.”

In her acceptance remarks, Murimirwa expressed gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the medal to the entire movement advocating for education equity. “Together, we’re raising the flag for a more equitable world,” she stated.

Currently operating in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, and Ghana, CAMFED collaborates with over 7,000 partner schools in underserved rural communities.

T4 Education said that the organisation had demonstrated significant success: in Zimbabwe, girls supported by CAMFED are nearly three times less likely to drop out of school compared to their peers, and in Tanzania, literacy gains for these girls are twice as high as those in non-partner schools.

It added that Murimirwa was also a founding member and the first elected Chair of the CAMFED Association, a pan-African network of 279,000 women leaders committed to securing every girl’s right to quality education, saying each member of this association financially supported at least three girls in their community, creating a substantial multiplier effect.

Senior Education Business Leader at HP, Mayank Dhingra, praised Murimirwa’s efforts, stating, “Her vital work has led the way in breaking down barriers to girls’ education. We know that many others will be inspired to follow in her footsteps.”

Founder and CEO of T4 Education, Vikas Pota, highlighted the significance of the Africa Education Medal, emphasizing the need to spotlight changemakers who are making a real difference in education across the continent.

Murimirwa was selected from a competitive pool of finalists, including leaders from various educational initiatives across Africa. The Africa Education Medal will provide her with a platform at the World Schools Summit in Dubai on November 23-24, where she will also nominate a school for T4 Education’s Best School to Work programme, aimed at improving teacher recruitment and retention.

The statement revealed that Angeline Murimirwa was chosen as the Medallist from among the Finalists for the Africa Education Medal 2024, including Co-Executive Director, Kenya Drylands Education Fund, Kenya Ahmed Omar; Co-Founder & Director, Nova Pioneer, Kenya, Christopher Khaemba; CEO, 1 Million Teachers, Nigeria, Hakeem Subair;

Registrar & Chief Executive, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, Nigeria, Josiah Ajiboye;

Outgoing CEO, The Jakes Gerwel Fellowship, South Africa, Julian Hewitt; Principal Education Consultant, Ghana, Mohammed Haroon;

Executive Director, Raising Teenagers Uganda, Uganda, Nankunda Hope Mwijuka; Founder & Executive Director, SEED Care & Support Foundation, Nigeria, Olanrewaju Oniyitan, and CEO & Co-Founder, Maharishi Invincibility Institute, South Africa, Taddy Blecher.

This year marks the third iteration of the Africa Education Medal, underscoring the commitment to fostering educational innovation and equity across the continent.