BY THEMBA ZWANE
EZULWINI – African Union (AU) Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Professor Gaspard Banyankimbona, has applauded His Majesty King Mswati III and the Kingdom of Eswatini for opening its doors to Africa by hosting the Pan-African Conference on Teacher Education (PACTED) 2026.
Professor Banyankimbona said the Kingdom of Eswatini’s hospitality and commitment to hosting the continental gathering had created an important platform for African countries to collectively shape the future of teacher education.
Speaking during the official opening of PACTED 2026 at the Ezulwini Palazzo International Convention Centre (ICC), the AU Commissioner conveyed appreciation to His Majesty the King, the Government and the people of Eswatini on behalf of the President of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf.
“On behalf of the President of the African Union Commission, HE Mahmoud Ali Youssouf and on my own behalf, I extend our deepest appreciation to His Majesty the King, the Government, and the people of Eswatini for opening their doors to Africa,” Professor Banyankimbona said.
He particularly commended Minister of Education and Training Owen Nxumalo, Principal Secretary Naniki Mnisi and their technical teams for what he described as warm hospitality and excellent organisation of the historic gathering.
The Commissioner also thanked the AU Commission team, particularly Sophia N. Ashipala, Head of the Education Division, for their efforts in bringing the continental conference to life.
PACTED 2026 coincides with World Teachers’ Day and brings together education ministers, senior government officials, teachers’ unions, teacher regulatory bodies, civil society, academia, young people and learners from across Africa.
Professor Banyankimbona said the two occasions were closely connected because celebrating teachers was ultimately about celebrating Africa’s ability to transform itself.
“Africa’s future is being built in our classrooms, and our teachers are its chief architects,” he said.
Drawing from his own experience as a teacher, the Commissioner said educators played a fundamental role in unlocking the potential of learners who would go on to become doctors, engineers, scientists, innovators and leaders.
He said the AU’s message to teachers across the continent was clear: “We see you. We value you. We honour you.”
The conference is being held under the theme, “Transforming the Teaching Profession for Africa’s Future: Innovation, Recognition, Mobility, Artificial Intelligence, Inclusion and Professional Excellence.”
Professor Banyankimbona said the theme represented a bold commitment by Africa to actively shape change rather than merely respond to it.
He pointed to the AU Decade of Education and Skills Development (2025–2034), the Continental Teacher Qualification Framework and digital competencies as important foundations for transforming education across the continent.
A major focus of the conference is the role of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education.
The Commissioner acknowledged the enormous possibilities offered by AI while stressing that technology should complement, rather than replace, the human role of teachers.
“Artificial Intelligence can process vast information, but it is the teacher who ignites curiosity amongst the learners,” he said.
He added that while technology could provide answers, teachers helped learners discover the right questions, while machines could recognise patterns but teachers could recognise the limitless potential of individual learners.
Professor Banyankimbona said Africa’s ambition should be to place technology directly into the hands of empowered teachers so that they could amplify their impact in classrooms.
He challenged Africa not to remain a passive consumer of emerging technologies but to empower its teachers and learners to become creators and co-creators of the technologies shaping the future.
Over the three-day conference, delegates are expected to work towards what the Commissioner described as a new continental compact with Africa’s teachers, based on professional dignity, sustainable financing and opportunity.
The conference will culminate in the African Union Continental Teachers’ Awards 2026 on Wednesday, where educators demonstrating excellence and innovation will be celebrated.
Professor Banyankimbona said the awards would demonstrate that Africa’s educational transformation was already taking place in classrooms across the continent, while emphasising the need to multiply such excellence across borders.
He urged delegates not to be defined by the challenges facing Africa’s education systems, but to focus on what could be achieved when teachers were digitally empowered, professionally recognised and adequately supported.
He further called for the Eswatini Declaration, expected to emerge from the conference, to go beyond being a policy document and become a living commitment translated into concrete action in African countries and classrooms.
“To Africa’s teachers: Your work matters. Your leadership matters. Your contribution to Africa’s future is massive,” he said.
“The best chapter of Africa’s educational story is still being written, and our teachers are holding both the pen and the chalk.”
Professor Banyankimbona subsequently officially declared PACTED 2026 open, marking the beginning of the three-day continental dialogue on the transformation of teacher education.
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