Gregory Giraud proposes solutions to improve higher education in West and Central Africa

Gregory Giraud, a researcher at the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development, has identified solutions to strengthen higher education in West and Central Africa. His thesis, defended in 2025, sheds light on funding and quality challenges while proposing concrete improvement mechanisms through the African Centers of Excellence program.

Higher education in West and Central Africa faces significant structural challenges, including chronic underfunding and a rapid increase in student numbers. These issues result in a fragile academic ecosystem, where training programs fail to meet labor market needs, contributing to a high unemployment rate among graduates.

Gregory Giraud analyzed the impact of the African Centers of Excellence (ACE) program, supported by the World Bank and the French Development Agency. Although notable progress has been observed at some centers, obstacles such as a shortage of qualified staff and underfunding persist, limiting the long-term impact of these initiatives.

The findings of this research underscore the importance of adopting a more strategic approach to improving the quality of higher education. Decision-makers must invest in the ACE program and develop sustainable initiatives to strengthen local capacity, while meeting the growing needs of the labor market.

« "The African Centers of Excellence program represents a significant opportunity to improve the quality of higher education in West and Central Africa," says Gregory Giraud. »

« "Gregory Giraud's analysis highlights critical issues for the future of higher education in Africa, and underscores the importance of access to knowledge for decision-makers," states the Lektaris team. »