The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has announced His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and current Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government, as a GPE Champion for sustainable financing for education.
In a world facing rapid technological change, economic uncertainty, and climate pressures, investing in education is essential for building resilient societies and inclusive economies. Yet more than 270 million children and young people remain out of school globally, and millions more lack the foundational skills necessary to thrive.
As a GPE Champion, President Bio will help mobilize political leadership and international momentum to expand sustainable education financing and accelerate progress toward quality education for every child. Working alongside global leaders, youth advocates, and development partners, he will advocate for stronger national investment and global cooperation to transform education systems and ensure that no child is left behind.
President Bio will also amplify the urgency of investing in education, encouraging governments and partners to collaborate to ensure that every child, everywhere, can learn, grow, and contribute to a more prosperous future.
Sierra Leone has emerged as a leading voice for education reform and investment across Africa. Since launching the Free Quality School Education initiative in 2018, enrollment has risen by nearly 50 percent, adding one million new learners to the education system. The initiative has also delivered free school meals to 800,000 learners nationwide, provided thousands of schools with teaching and learning materials, closed the gender gap in primary school completion, and contributed to a more than 30 percent decline in teenage pregnancy.
Despite fiscal pressures, Sierra Leone has prioritized education spending. Under President Bio’s leadership, education expenditure now accounts for more than 20 percent of the national budget. This sustained investment underscores the government’s commitment to human capital development as a cornerstone of long-term national progress. The country also boasts the highest girls’ primary school completion rate in West Africa among nations in its income group.
Sierra Leone’s achievements have earned global recognition for placing education at the heart of its development agenda and demonstrating how strong political leadership can drive comprehensive, system-wide transformation. In September 2022, President Bio reinforced this leadership on the world stage by co-chairing the UN Transforming Education Summit alongside United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
President Bio now joins a growing group of global champions calling for bold action to close the education financing gap. GPE’s financing campaign, Multiply Possibility, aims to mobilize $5 billion in donor contributions and unlock an additional $10 billion in co-financing, supporting more than 90 countries to strengthen education systems and improve learning opportunities for nearly 750 million children.
“I am honored to join the Global Partnership for Education as a Champion for sustainable education financing. Education is the foundation of opportunity and national development. Investing in our children today empowers the next generation to build stronger societies, drive innovation, and secure a more prosperous future for Africa and the world,” said President Bio.