Former President Dr Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete has reaffirmed his commitment to expanding access to quality education for vulnerable children worldwide by leading the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Board Meeting held in Paris, France, on 3–4 June 2026. 

Dr Kikwete, who serves as Chair of the GPE Board, presided over discussions on the ambitious GPE 2030 campaign, which seeks to mobilise US$15 billion by 2030 to strengthen education systems in developing countries.

The meeting was attended by France’s Minister of State for International Partnerships, Éléonore Caroit, alongside other global education leaders. 

The initiative aims to help return approximately 270 million out-of-school children to classrooms while improving early childhood and primary education, particularly for girls and children affected by conflict, drought, floods and other crises.

Through the campaign, an estimated 750 million learners across 96 countries are expected to benefit from improved schools, additional learning materials, modern classrooms, laboratories and enhanced teacher training. 

According to GPE, Italy and Nigeria will co-host the organisation’s replenishment conference on 23 September 2026, on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. 

Tanzania remains one of GPE’s key beneficiaries, having received more than US$207.3 million to support education reforms, with a further US$50 million allocated to strengthen the country’s education sector.