The inspiration behind EDUCOA was sparked by chocolate. 

 

As one of the most popular food products in the world, just the

thought of chocolate could bring a smile to anyone’s face. Currently,

70% of cocoa is produced in West Africa—The Ivory Coast and Ghana

contributes to 37% and 21% of the world’s cocoa production

respectively. Although Africa is the home to cocoa, the chocolate

brands that are globally known are overwhelmingly

European and American.

 

Knowing this, EDUCOA asks:

 

Why are there not more local African

entrepreneurs turning their natural resources into viable businesses

that can compete in the world market?

 

The factors are many and complex, including the lack of access to credit,

unreliable power supply, and poor infrastructure. However, at a more basic level,

a greater culture of entrepreneurship is needed.

 

Entrepreneurship is intricately linked to education, and these two fields need to be connected and leveraged to develop the human capital that youth need, not only to be successful in the future economy, but also to create their own future

economy. Youth in Africa offers the region major economic opportunity, as they are the youngest and fastest growing population in the world. Almost 70 percent of its population is under the age of 25. However, Africa’s youth are not acquiring the basic skills needed to continue their education or to secure jobs.  In fact, enrollment in schools in Africa consistently declines after the primary school level.

 

EDUCOA believes that, in order to change economic trends, youth must begin cultivating life long learning habits and entrepreneurial mindsets at an early age. By introducing EDUCOA's Innovation for Life Skills Framework to primary schools, students will learn to make linkages between the importance of what they learn in the classroom to what they can do in the real world. 

 

As its principal goal, EDUCOA aims to create a momentum in the education system across Africa that will stimulate how youth learn so that they are empowered to become active agents of their own livelihoods and contribute to the socio-economic development of their community and country.