The 2025 Engineers for Africa (EFA) Report is an updated reflection of engineering capacity challenges across sub-Saharan Africa, building on the 2012 report by the Royal Academy of Engineering and Engineers Against Poverty. Published this World Engineering Day, this new report reflects on the evolution of engineering capacity needs in sub-Saharan Africa over the last 12 years.
While not a primary piece of research, the EFA report relays key conversations from across sub-Saharan Africa on the challenges, successes and current approaches to improve engineering capacity, with detailed recommendations for industry, academia, professional engineering bodies (PEBs) and policymakers.
Authored by Dalberg with input from Engineers Against Poverty, the report collates a decade of research, conversations, the report highlights engineering’s vital role in Africa’s sustainable development and the need for urgent and continued action to address capacity gaps. The EFA report serves as an additional tool for PEBs to further demonstrate the role of engineering, and profile established challenges and recommendations common across sub-Saharan Africa. It demonstrates how collaboration between industry and academia has built engineering capacity in sub-Saharan Africa to benefit business, and the continued need to do so to further enhance the relevance and impact of engineering education to produce graduates fit for industry. Finally, The EFA report provides a concise overview of common challenges identified by African industry, academia and professional engineering bodies, and recommendations to maximise the impact of engineering on national development and regional cooperation.
About the Royal Academy of Engineering
The Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone. In collaboration with our Fellows and partners, we’re growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public. Together we’re working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age.
The Academy has various programmes open to African awardees, including the Africa Catalyst, which empowers professional engineering bodies to promote the profession, share best practices, and strengthen local engineering capacity. Through targeted grant funding, Africa Catalyst supports initiatives that enhance engineering governance, accreditation, training, and diversity in the profession.
Read more about EAP’s involvement with the Africa Catalyst programme in our blog piece.