Room to Read has launched its inaugural Africa Regional Advisory Board and announced a landmark $75 million funding initiative to transform foundational learning outcomes across the continent. The announcements were made during a joint board session in South Africa, where dozens of global and regional leaders gathered to reinforce their shared commitment to scaling high-impact literacy and life skills programming.
The global education nonprofit, which focuses on foundational literacy, gender equality, and skill development, plans to double its investment in Africa and expand programming to at least eight countries. Through this initiative, Room to Read seeks to reach more than 8 million children annually by 2027. Board members and investors convened in South Africa to visit program sites and discuss opportunities to accelerate progress through private- and public-sector collaboration.
Room to Read’s newly established Africa Regional Advisory Board is composed of leaders across business, philanthropy, and civic sectors. Members include Olivia Byanyima of Nordic Impact Funds; Africa Culture Group Founder and CEO Meron Demisse; Goldman Sachs South Africa CEO Simon Denny; Adia & Dias Consulting Ltd Founder Aida Diarra; advocate Hanan El-Kathiri; former Absa Group Treasurer Parin Gokaldas; Anthony Kirui of Absa; African Sports & Creative Institute Founder Will Mbiakop; Institute for Governance & Economic Transformation Founder Professor Kingsley Moghalu; BoxMedia Founder and CEO Clare Munn; BHM Holding Ltd CEO Sagal B.H. Musa; Aluko & Oyebode Co-founder Gbenga Oyebode; Deutsche Bank South Africa CEO Saloshni Pillay; Mo Dewji Foundation CEO Imran Sherali; and CMA Investment Holdings and ABN Group Co-founder Rakesh Wahi.
This advisory board will support efforts to mobilize capital, align leadership, and strengthen strategic partnerships that further the organization’s mission. Room to Read emphasized that the board represents a unified commitment to harnessing Africa’s human capital through education.
The organization’s planned expansion builds on nearly two decades of work in Africa. Since 2006, Room to Read has served more than 10 million children in South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zambia. Its literacy approach has already influenced national policy in Tanzania and South Africa. Students in Room to Read-supported programs have nearly doubled their learning gains compared to peers, and a 2024 survey in Tanzania found that 90 percent of Girls’ Education Program alumnae had enrolled in tertiary education or were employed.
Room to Read’s work across Africa relies heavily on local leadership and deep community partnerships, with programs designed and implemented by national staff. With new partnerships in Kenya and Malawi, the organization is also adapting its She Creates Change curriculum and films to empower a new generation of changemakers.
Alongside the launch of the regional advisory board, Room to Read has appointed senior financial services executive Ana Arsov to its Global Board of Directors. Arsov, Chief Investment Officer of Bright Fame Holdings and an independent board member of TD Bank Group, brings 25 years of experience in global finance and risk management through leadership roles at Moody’s Ratings, UBS, Morgan Stanley, and Lehman Brothers.
Founded in 2000, Room to Read has benefited 52 million children across 29 countries. The organization develops foundational literacy and life skills by training educators, producing evidence-based curriculum and content, and strengthening education systems through partnerships with governments and local institutions. By 2027, Room to Read aims to double the number of children and communities it reaches annually.
KEY QUOTES:
“By 2050, approximately one-third of the world’s young people will live in Africa, making this moment in history a defining one for human potential. Yet, today, nearly nine in 10 children in sub-Saharan Africa cannot read a simple text by age 10, and gender gaps in education persist across the continent. As an organization focused on skill-building, foundational learning, and gender equality, Room to Read is uniquely positioned to be a strong partner to governments, educational leaders and communities by mobilizing the capital, leadership, and cross-sector collaboration needed to unlock the continent’s brilliant promise. Together, we will work towards expanding educational access, delivering strong learning outcomes and ensuring children across Africa have the opportunity to learn, thrive, and shape our shared future.”
Dr. Geetha Murali, CEO, Room to Read
“As an African, I have long believed in the limitless promise of this continent — and I also know that promise begins with education. I’m privileged to be a part of this effort to unite Africa’s leadership around a shared mission — to ensure that every child, in every community, has access to the education and opportunity needed to shape a brighter future for us all.”
Gbenga Oyebode, Co-founder, Aluko & Oyebode; Advisor for Room to Read’s Work in Africa
“I am honored to join Room to Read’s Global Board at such a pivotal moment. Education is the single most powerful investment we can make in our children and in our collective future. I look forward to contributing my experience to help Room to Read scale its impact, in Africa where the need and opportunity are so great and beyond.”
Ana Arsov, Global Board Member, Room to Read
