Transforming chemistry education in Africa: A 21st century perspective on opportunities and challenges

Abstract

Africa’s burgeoning youth population, rich indigenous knowledge, and urgent developmental needs position chemistry education as a pivotal driver of sustainable growth in the 21st century. This review examines the continent’s chemistry education landscape, revealing a
paradox of resilience and systemic inequity. While enrollment rates have risen, access to quality education remains fragmented, with urban-rural divides, gender gaps, and colonial-era curricula stifling progress. Yet, Africa’s dynamism shines through grassroots innovations including virtual labs in Rwanda, ethno-chemistry integration in Ghana, and mobile learning in Kenya, that redefine pedagogy through technology and cultural relevance. The analysis underscores the potential of panAfrican collaboration, industry-academic partnerships, and digital leapfrogging to align education with global sustainability agendas like the SDGs. However, formidable challenges persist: underfunded infrastructure, brain drain, and political instability threaten to undermine advancements. The review calls for urgent, context-sensitive reforms such as decolonizing curricula, scaling gender-responsive STEM policies, and prioritizing infrastructure investments to transform chemistry education into a catalyst for equitable development. By leveraging Africa’s demographic dividend and indigenous ingenuity, stakeholders can empower a generation to tackle local challenges in healthcare, energy, and environmental sustainability while positioning the continent as a global hub for inclusive scientific innovation. This review serves as a roadmap for policymakers, educators, and international partners to bridge aspiration and action in Africa’s chemical sciences renaissance.