In this post, we will discuss the Top 10 Most Educated African Presidents Ever but let’s dive into the African education system.
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African Education System
The African continent has always been known to have the highest amount of decline in education, both in the young and old. The literacy rates of most African countries are very low, although some of these African countries put in their best, such as the allocation of funds to improve the education sector of their country and making adult and childhood education compulsory as well, all just in the bid of increasing the literacy rate. Although aspects of education in Africa have improved, including more children being knowledgeable about basic things and being able to read and write. Africa has the highest rates of educational exclusion in the world, with girls mostly out of schools than boys. A UNESCO study in 2012 has shown that the number of children of primary school age who are not attending school in Africa has accounted for the increase of more than half of the total global education decline.
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In sub-Saharan Africa, only about one-quarter of pre-primary teachers are trained. Upper secondary school teachers have a slightly better ratio: about 50 percent have training. Sub-Saharan Africa opposes Eastern Europe and Central Asia when it comes to gender disparity and equality in education among the urban areas. The latter tends to see a higher level of both educational attainment and literacy among females, while sub-Saharan Africa sees the opposite.
The quality and accessibility of education in Africa must be adequately resolved before the situation of the continent itself can improve other problems facing it. UNESCO warns that “without urgent action, the situation will likely get worse as the region (that is, Africa) faces a rising demand for education due to the overgrowing school-age population.”
However, there are still a good number of educated people who are making a difference in the nation, while several measures are being taken to ensure adequate education. Here are the most educated African presidents on our list.
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Top 10 Most Educated Presidents in Africa And Their Qualifications.
Education is very important in a world that keeps on revolving; it has then become a necessity, even for individuals. Education makes you see clearly in making judgments; it also makes one enlightened and civilized, so therefore, as a leader, education becomes paramount for ruling, but sadly, of the 54 nations in Africa, only a few leaders are known to be well educated. Below is a list of the top 10 literate African leaders.
1. John Pombe Magufuli (Tanzania):
He was a former school teacher who became the president of Tanzania in 2015. John Pombe Magufuli was an educator and seasoned chemist.
Academic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, University of Dar es Salaam
- Master’s degree in Chemistry, University of Dar es Salaam
- Doctorate degree in Chemistry, University of Dar es Salaam.
2. King Mohammed VI (Morocco):
He has been ruling Morocco since 1999, after the demise of his father, King Hassan. He is responsible for appointing a prime minister in the country.
Academic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Mohammed V University at Agdal.
- Ph.D. in Law, French University of Nice Sophia Antipolis.
- In 1987, Mohammed obtained his first Certificat d’Études Supérieures (CES) in political sciences, and in July 1988 he obtained a Diplôme d’Études Approfondies (DEA) in public law.
3. Peter Mutharika (Malawi):
an International Economic Law expert.
Academic Qualifications:
- Law Degree, University of London.
- Master of Laws Degree (LL.M.), Yale University.
- Doctor of the Science of Law Degree (JSD), Yale University.
4. Alassane Ouattara (Ivory Coast):
a great economist who has helped his home country of Ivory Coast to revive and sustain its economic growth.
Academic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science Degree, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- Master’s Degree in Economics, University of Pennsylvania.
- Ph.D. in Economics, University of Pennsylvania.
5. Mulatu Teshome (Ethiopia):
He has been the president of Ethiopia since 2013, and he had his education in China, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in political economy and a doctorate degree in international law.
Academic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy of Political Economy, Peking University, Beijing, China.
- Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
- Doctorate Degree in International Law, Peking University, Beijing, China.
6. Ameenah Gurib (Mauritius):
the third female president of Mauritius. She has been recognized internationally for the rapid progress of her administration. She graduated from the University of Surrey in 1983 with a bachelor in chemistry and also has a doctorate degree in organic chemistry.
Academic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) Degree, University of Surrey.
- Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry, Exeter University, England.
7. Ibrahim Boubacar Keita (Mali):
He had been the president of Mali since 2013.
Academic Qualifications:
- Ibrahim Keita has three degrees in Political International Relations, History, and Political Science, including graduate degrees in Political Science and International Relations.
- Also a Master’s Degree in History
8. Faure Essozimma Gnassingbe (Togo):
He succeeded his father, Gnassigbe Eyadema’s, who had already ruled the country for about 38 years. He completed his secondary education in Lome before earning a degree in financial business management in Paris.
Academic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Financial Management, Sorbonne, in Paris.
- Master’s Degree in Business Administration, George Washington University, United States.
9. George Weah (Liberian):
George Weah was a football player known as one of Africa’s best players of all time. He has played in the UEFA Champions League and the English Premier League. He also became the first and only African player to win the FIFA world’s best player award, amongst other noteworthy awards.
Academic Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts in Sports Management, Parkwood University, London.
- Degree in Business Administration, DeVry University Miami
- Master’s Degree in Management, Keller’s Graduate School of Management.
10. President Jorge Carlos de Almeida Fonseca (Cape Verde):
He is a lawyer and university professor who has been President of Cape Verde since 2011. Before becoming president, he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1991 to 1993.
Academic Qualifications:
- Graduate in Law, University of Lisbon, Portugal
- Masters in Legal Sciences, Faculty of Law, University of Lisbon, Portugal.
10 most literate countries in Africa.
Literacy can be said to be the centerpiece of a nation’s progress, its social development, and its economic growth. The ability to read and write provides more educational and employment opportunities to the population, allowing people to increase their household incomes and bring their family out of poor conditions. Below are listed the top literate countries in Africa.
1. Seychelles:
is the first country in Africa with a high level of literacy based on both sex. It strictly follows the guidelines of UNESCO. Some of these guidelines include establishing free primary education, improving the quality of childhood education, improving adult literacy, and providing gender equality in all institutions of learning.
2. Equatorial Guinea:
Research has shown that the literacy rate in Equatorial Guinea is about 95% for both males and females above 15 years of age. The country has made significant progress toward their education goals, thereby achieving a preschool enrollment of over 70% in 2015. This continued commitment to improved education is expected to be reflected in future literacy rates.
3. South Africa:
The country has recorded over 95% literacy rate, mostly in adults, as the younger persons have somehow experienced a decline in education.
4. Libya:
The country has recorded a 91% literacy rate. The country works to eliminate illiteracy through several prevention methods, like making school mandatory for youth, and several reactive methods, like opening adult literacy centers in each of the districts to enhance learning and improve the literacy rate of the adults.
5. Namibia:
The government of Namibia has increased its educational expenditures and, as of 2013, allocates 29% of the federal budget to boost public education. The country generally has about 91% literacy rate.
6. Mauritius:
It has also experienced an improvement in its literacy rates, which currently are at 91%.
7. Cape Verde:
Currently, with an 88% literacy rate, it also ranks among the most literate countries in Africa. This increase in literacy is due to the educational system that was put into place after this country gained its independence in 1975.
8. Botswana:
It also ranks top among the most literate countries in Africa, with 88% of the population over 15 years of age who are able to read and write. This reflects the commitment to education made by the government of Botswana and the success of its National Literacy Programme. This program was established in 1977 and has made significant progress in reaching the adult illiterate population.
9. Swaziland:
It has an increased literacy rate of 87% of its population who are able to read and write. This has been one of the major achievements of the education system of the country since its independence.
10. Zimbabwe:
It also ranks among the top literate African countries with an 87% literacy rate.
In conclusion, education in Africa is known to have always been on the verge of decline, as most African countries boast of a very low literacy rate among adults. It is then of little wonder why education is not a topmost criterion when choosing a national leader on the African continent. In countries where there are educated presidents in juxtaposition to their performances is an irony, which then makes the educational credentials of African presidents in comparison to good leadership, not a criterion.
Although Africa has the most educated leaders in the world, the continent continues to experience plodding progress. Many critics have also attributed this to the high level of corruption evident within African governments.
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