ACFUGANDA2027
Africa Childcare ForumUganda 2027
The Africa Promise: Financing Africa’s Childcare Future
Government-led. Ecosystem-designed. Evidence-driven. Locally owned.
500
Target delegates
Local and international
6
Forum themes
From workforce to finance
0–47
Months of age
Priority focus for childcare
Background and rationale
Childcare is essential social and economic infrastructure. It supports children’s development, enables parents to participate in education and employment, strengthens women’s economic participation and creates opportunities for enterprise development and decent work.
The African childcare challenge is therefore not simply a question of service provision. It is also a question of financing: who invests in childcare, how resources are mobilised and allocated, and how public, private and community investment can work together to create accessible, inclusive and sustainable childcare systems.
Africa Childcare Forum Uganda 2027 will provide a continental platform to address these questions. Building on the 2nd Africa Childcare Forum in Mombasa, Kenya, it will draw attention to government leadership, public financing, innovative investment, viable childcare enterprises and coordinated action across the ecosystem.
Overall objective
To mobilise political commitment, financing and cross-sector partnerships to build sustainable, quality, affordable and inclusive childcare systems across Africa.
Specific objectives
- 1
Elevate childcare as an economic and social investment priority within national development plans, public budgets and continental agendas.
- 2
Explore sustainable financing mechanisms for childcare, including public investment, employer contributions, blended finance, philanthropy and private-sector investment.
- 3
Strengthen the financial viability of childcare enterprises, particularly home-based and community-based providers.
- 4
Advance investment in a professional, skilled and fairly remunerated childcare workforce.
- 5
Promote affordable, safe, quality and inclusive childcare services that respond to the needs of children, parents and caregivers.
- 6
Strengthen government leadership, policy implementation and accountability for childcare financing and service delivery.
- 7
Generate practical financing commitments, partnerships and follow-up actions to advance childcare investment in Uganda and across Africa.
Proposed themes
Six interlocking conversations on how Africa can finance quality, affordable and inclusive childcare.
Childcare Workforce
Financing the professionalisation of childcare workers through recognised qualifications, competency-based training, recognition of prior learning, decent working conditions and career pathways.
Quality Childcare
Investing in standards, infrastructure, safeguarding, supervision and quality assurance so services are safe, nurturing and developmentally appropriate.
Affordable Childcare
Exploring financing approaches that reduce the cost burden on families without undermining service quality or provider viability.
Childcare Enterprises and Financing
Positioning childcare as an investable sector and a source of jobs, livelihoods and local economic growth.
Government, Policy and Systems
Strengthening government leadership in making childcare a recognised public investment priority.
Evidence, Digital and Innovation
Using evidence, data and innovation to guide childcare investment and improve accountability for results.
Primary audience and participants
Finance ministries, planning authorities, financial institutions and investors are particularly important so discussions move from recognising childcare’s importance to identifying how it can be financed.
Governments
Leaders responsible for childcare policy, public finance, planning, ECD, education, gender, labour, health, social protection and local government.
Regional institutions
African Union and regional bodies shaping continental childcare and financing agendas.
Development partners
International agencies, philanthropic organisations and funders ready to move from recognition to investment.
Investors & finance
Public and private investors, financial institutions and impact investors.
Employers
Business associations and employers interested in workplace childcare.
Providers & networks
Childcare providers, caregiver networks, social enterprises, training institutions, researchers and civil society — including parent, women’s and disability organisations.
Expected outcomes
Greater recognition of childcare as an investment priority within public finance, economic development and social policy agendas.
Practical financing pathways identifying how public budgets, development finance, employers, philanthropy and private investment can contribute to childcare systems.
Stronger childcare enterprises through improved access to finance, business support and enabling policy environments.
Increased investment in the workforce through training, qualifications, recognition of prior learning and decent work.
More affordable and inclusive services through financing approaches that respond to families’ needs while sustaining provider viability.
Stronger government leadership and accountability for financing and implementing childcare priorities.
New partnerships and investment opportunities connecting governments, funders, financial institutions, employers and childcare providers.
A Forum outcome and follow-up framework identifying practical actions, potential financing partners and mechanisms for tracking progress.
Format and partnership arrangements
The two-day Forum will combine high-level government dialogue, financing and investment discussions, thematic sessions, country showcases, enterprise presentations, technical workshops and partnership roundtables.
A government-led steering and organising committee should guide the Forum, supported by Uthabiti Africa and strategic partners.
Lessons from Kenya’s progress in childcare policy, regulation and workforce development, alongside Seychelles’ experience in childminding standards and recognised qualifications, will inform discussions on the relationship between regulation, quality, workforce investment and sustainable financing.
Indicative budget
Provisional planning estimate for a two-day Forum involving approximately 250 delegates: UGX 246,684,000.
| Budget item | Proposed allocation (UGX) |
|---|---|
| Venue, catering and conference facilities | 65,000,000 |
| Delegate travel and accommodation support | 55,000,000 |
| Programme development, speakers and facilitation | 25,000,000 |
| Travel and participation for government delegations | 35,000,000 |
| Communications, branding and documentation | 15,000,000 |
| Logistics, transport and coordination | 25,000,000 |
| Monitoring, reporting and post-Forum follow-up | 10,000,000 |
| Contingency and miscellaneous costs | 16,684,000 |
| Total | 246,684,000 |
These figures are provisional planning estimates and should be validated with the host government and partners.
The Africa Promise
The Africa Childcare Forum Uganda 2027 will create an opportunity to turn Africa’s childcare ambitions into a credible investment agenda. By bringing together governments, development partners, financial institutions, employers, investors and childcare providers, the Forum will seek practical ways to mobilise resources, strengthen enterprises, invest in the workforce and expand access to quality, affordable and inclusive childcare.
Delivering on that promise requires us to finance the childcare systems that make children’s development possible, enable parents to work and learn, and create decent jobs and sustainable enterprises.
Kampala, Uganda · 2027
In partnership with
