About Us
The identity, educational vision, history and governance of the Institute for African Compact on Education.
Institutional identity
Who we are
The Institute for African Compact on Education (IACE) is a pan-African institution for research, training and accompaniment, established to support the implementation of the African Compact on Education within the particular Churches, schools and Catholic universities of the continent. Faithful to the vision of the Global Compact on Education promoted by Pope Francis and enriched by the guidance of Pope Leo XIV, the Institute works to strengthen the quality of Catholic education in Africa by fostering collaboration among episcopal conferences, universities, school networks and international partners.
To fulfil its missions, the Institute relies on several complementary bodies. These bring together Church leaders, academics, education experts and practitioners committed to promoting an integral, inclusive and transformative education. Together, these bodies provide strategic direction, scientific oversight and pastoral accompaniment for the implementation of the African Compact on Education across the different regions of the continent.
Global Compact on Education and African Compact on Education
GLOBAL COMPACT ON EDUCATION: THE WORK OF TWO POPES
Pope Francis
September 2019
The Global Compact on Education, launched by Pope Francis, calls for rebuilding an educational alliance between families, schools, universities, institutions and societies. The African Compact on Education is its continental expression: it roots that call in African cultures, languages and traditional educational values.
The ten commitments of the Global Compact on Education
- 1
Put the person at the centre
- 2
Listen to the younger generations
- 3
Promote women
- 4
Empower the family
- 5
Open up to welcoming others
- 6
Renew the economy and politics
- 7
Care for our common home
- 8
Educate the inner life
- 9
Create a more human digital world
- 10
Build peace
Pope Leo XIV
October 2025
Introducing the African Compact on Education
The African Compact on Education is the continental expression of the Global Compact on Education launched by Pope Francis in September 2019. It was solemnly presented in Kinshasa on 6 November 2022. It aims to promote an integral education, rooted in African cultural realities and grounded in human dignity, fraternity and peace.
The African Compact: four protagonists
01
Internal organisation of the Church
Strengthen the coordination of Church structures and their commitment to Catholic education.
02
Catholic schools
Promote quality, inclusive and accessible education, founded on Christian values and the protection of children.
03
States
Develop education policies suited to African realities and improve access to quality education.
04
Catholic universities
Encourage research, innovation, integral formation and access to higher education.
Our history
From Butare (2017) to Nairobi (2025).
Governance and officers
Coordination Office
Grand Chancellor
His Eminence Antoine Cardinal Kambanda
Metropolitan Archbishop of Kigali (Rwanda), President of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda, Member of the Dicastery for Culture and Education, President of the Episcopal Commission for the African Compact on Education and Grand Chancellor of the Institute for African Compact on Education.
His Excellency Archbishop Gabriel Sayaogo
Metropolitan Archbishop of Koupéla (Burkina Faso), President of the Episcopal Conference of Burkina–Niger and Southern Co-President of the International Foundation Religions and Societies.
Vice-President
His Excellency Archbishop Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa
Metropolitan Archbishop of Bouaké (Côte d’Ivoire).
Vice-President
His Excellency Bishop Ernesto Maguengue
Bishop of Inhambane (Mozambique).
Vice-President
His Excellency Bishop Moses Chikwe
Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri (Nigeria).
Coordinator
Professor Jean-Paul Niyigena
Coordinator of the Institute for African Compact on Education.
Cardinals committed to the African Compact on Education
His Eminence
Antoine Cardinal Kambanda
Metropolitan Archbishop of Kigali (Rwanda).
His Eminence
Fridolin Cardinal Ambongo
Metropolitan Archbishop of Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo).
His Eminence
Dieudonné Cardinal Nzapalainga
Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangui (Central African Republic).
His Eminence
Protase Cardinal Rugambwa
Metropolitan Archbishop of Tabora (Tanzania).
Episcopal Commission for the African Compact on Education
13Permanent members
- President
His Eminence
Antoine Cardinal Kambanda
Metropolitan Archbishop of Kigali, President of the Episcopal Conference of Rwanda.
His Excellency Archbishop
Gabriel Sayaogo
Metropolitan Archbishop of Koupéla, President of the Episcopal Conference of Burkina–Niger.
His Excellency Archbishop
Andrew Nkea
Metropolitan Archbishop of Bamenda and President of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon.
His Excellency Archbishop
Fulgence Muteba
Metropolitan Archbishop of Lubumbashi, President of the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo (Democratic Republic of the Congo).
His Excellency Bishop
Joachim Ntahondereye
Bishop of Muyinga and President of the Episcopal Conference of Burundi.
His Excellency Bishop
Juan Domingo Beka Esono Ayang
Bishop of Mongomo and President of the Episcopal Conference of Equatorial Guinea.
- Vice-President
His Excellency Archbishop
Jacques Assanvo Ahiwa
Metropolitan Archbishop of Bouaké (Côte d’Ivoire).
His Excellency Archbishop
Jean Mbarga
Metropolitan Archbishop of Yaoundé (Cameroon).
His Excellency Bishop
Nestor Désiré Nongo Aziagbia
Bishop of Bossangoa (Central African Republic).
His Excellency Bishop
Joaquim Nhanganga Tyombe
Bishop of Uíge (Angola).
- Vice-President
His Excellency Bishop
Ernesto Maguengue
Bishop of Inhambane (Mozambique).
- Vice-President
His Excellency Bishop
Moses Chikwe
Auxiliary Bishop of Owerri (Nigeria).
His Excellency Bishop
Flavian Matindi Kassala
Bishop of Geita (Tanzania).
Episcopal Commission
Honorary members
His Excellency Bishop
Philippe Rukamba
Bishop Emeritus of Butare (Rwanda) and Emeritus Southern Co-President of the International Foundation Religions and Societies.
His Excellency Archbishop
Paul Ouédraogo
Archbishop Emeritus of Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso).