• Date: July 9th, Thursday, 2026, 14:00 – 15:30
• Location: Youngone Hall (Room 210), SNUAC (Bldg. 101)

Speaker: H.E. Jakaya Kikwete (GPE Chair and Former President of Tanzania)
Discussant: Sung-Sang Yoo (Dept. of Education)

Since 2022, the Asia-Africa Center at SNUAC has been organizing special lectures by inviting Africa experts from around the world, with the aim of enhancing public understanding of Africa and promoting academic exchange. On Thursday, July 9, 2026, the Center will host a special lecture by H.E. Jakaya Kikwete, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and former President of Tanzania. In this lecture, Chair Kikwete will speak on the theme of “Advancing Global Education Financing: Leadership, Partnership, and the Road to GPE Replenishment.”

Chair Kikwete served as President of Tanzania from 2005 to 2015 and has since continued to take part in international discussions on expanding global education financing and promoting equity in education. As one of Africa’s leading high-level leaders, he has emphasized the importance of expanding access to education, ensuring quality education for children in vulnerable circumstances, and strengthening international cooperation to address the global learning crisis, particularly in his capacity as Chair of the GPE Board of Directors.

This lecture is expected to provide an opportunity to examine the expansion of global education financing and the importance of international partnerships, while also discussing the leadership and cooperation required in the process of GPE replenishment. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of education financing issues in Africa and the broader Global South, and will have the opportunity to reflect on the possibilities of international development cooperation and Korea-Africa cooperation through education.

H.E. Jakaya Kikwete is Chair of the Board of Directors of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and former President of the United Republic of Tanzania. He served as President of Tanzania from 2005 to 2015. Prior to his presidency, he held key positions in the Tanzanian government, including Minister of Finance, Minister of Water, Energy and Mineral Resources, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He also served as Chairperson of the African Union (AU) and Chair of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Cooperation, playing a central role in regional cooperation, peace, and security.

Throughout his public service and subsequent work with international organizations, Chair Kikwete has continued to contribute to policy development in the fields of education, women’s and children’s health, and support for vulnerable populations. After leaving office, he served as Special Envoy for the International Commission on Financing Global Education Opportunity, leading high-level delegations to 14 African countries. Since September 2021, he has served as Chair of the GPE Board of Directors, leading international cooperation to expand quality education and respond to the global learning crisis.