UWUMI Director Attends Landmark Africa Conference on Childcare in Addis Ababa

Our Director, Dr. Christine Kaduma (pictured on the left), proudly represented UWUMI Global Initiative Foundation (UGIF) at the historic Africa Conference on Childcare, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from Wednesday, 18 June to Saturday, 20 June 2025.

This was the first-ever continental conference dedicated to childcare, co-convened by the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Early Childhood Network (AfECN). The theme was “Building Partnerships for Accelerating Action towards Quality & Inclusive Childcare in Africa”.

Tanzania was among the countries invited to this important gathering, joining over 600 leaders, policymakers, researchers, civil society organizations, and practitioners from more than 40 African nations. The conference highlighted the urgent childcare crisis across the continent, where approximately 350 million young children lack access to quality, affordable services (according to World Bank data). With Africa’s child population currently at over 650 million—projected to reach 1 billion by 2055—investing in early childhood development is critical for aligning with AU Agenda 2063, Agenda 2040, and the Sustainable Development Goals.

We learnt about key strategies for addressing these challenges, including:

• The need for integrated, inclusive childcare systems that support working parents, especially women, and boost workforce participation and economic productivity.
• Innovative financing models and sustainable partnerships to scale up quality childcare services.
• Adapting traditional African communal values to modern childcare needs, as emphasized by Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie, who elevated child welfare to a national priority in Ethiopia.
• Building multi-sectoral collaborations involving governments, civil society, private sector, and communities to ensure every child thrives.

This event reinforced UWUMI’s commitment to transforming lives in Tanzania and beyond by tackling issues like adolescent pregnancy, inadequate healthcare, and resource challenges that directly impact young children and families. The insights gained will guide our ongoing programs in health promotion, education enhancement, and capacity-building for vulnerable families in Mwanza and across the country.

UWUMI is inspired to strengthen partnerships and advocate for greater investment in early childhood care, ensuring a brighter, more equitable future for Africa’s youngest generation.

Stay tuned for more updates on how we’re applying these learnings in our work!