Igniting the Potential of Young Children

Igniting the Potential of Young Children presents the latest evidence on early childhood development (ECD) in Eastern and Southern Africa, offering a comprehensive statistical profile across five key domains of the Nurturing Care Framework: good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, early learning, and safety and security. The report reveals that while significant progress has been made in reducing child mortality and expanding access to essential services, millions of young children in the region remain off track in their development due to persistent inequities, undernutrition, limited early stimulation, and barriers to learning. Drawing on nationally representative data, the report is a call to action for governments, policymakers, development partners and communities to invest more intentionally and equitably in the early years. By using data to identify gaps, track progress and guide interventions, countries can ensure that all children – regardless of where they are born – have the chance to develop to their full potential.

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Key Facts Include:

• Among the seven countries with data, only 18 per cent of children aged 3 and 4 are on track in literacy and numeracy, with large disparities by wealth and location.
• Nearly 1 in 3 children under age 5 in Eastern and Southern Africa – 26 million – are affected by stunting, with serious consequences for physical and cognitive development.
• In countries with data, less than half of young children receive adequate early stimulation and responsive care at home.
• Only 1 out of every 4 children aged 3 and 4 attend any form of organized early learning programme in the region.
• Overall, 3 in 4 children aged 1 to 4 years in the nine countries with data experience some form of violent discipline – that is, psychological aggression and/or physical punishment.
• Less than half of children under 5 in the region have had their births registered – the lowest level among regions worldwide.
• In 2023, over 900,000 children died before reaching their fifth birthday– an irreplaceable loss to families and communities.
• Public investment in early childhood development remains insufficient across the region.