In a classroom on the outskirts of Nairobi, a six-year-old boy struggles to keep pace with his classmates. He is bright and curious, but years of poor nutrition and limited early childhood stimulation have quietly shaped his ability to learn. His story is not unique.

Across Eastern and Southern Africa, an estimated 29 million children are living with developmental delays and disabilities, according to global estimates. 

Behind each number is a child whose future could be transformed through timely support, quality healthcare, and evidence-based interventions.

For researchers, educators, and policymakers gathered in Nairobi this week for the Aga Khan University Institute for Human Development’s (IHD) 10th anniversary celebrations, these children were at the heart of an urgent conversation: how Africa can strengthen its capacity to understand, protect, and nurture young brains.

Held under the theme “Unlocking Human Potential for Optimal Development Across the Lifespan: A Decade of Evidence, Innovation, and Policy Impact,” the event brought together scientists, government officials, development partners, and practitioners committed to improving child health and development outcomes across the continent.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive,” said Prof. Amina Abubakar, Director of the Aga Khan University Institute for Human Development. 

“Yet for many children, circumstances beyond their control prevent them from reaching their full potential. Investments in research allow us to identify effective interventions, understand local realities, and generate the evidence needed to improve child health and development outcomes.”

The challenge begins early in life.

According to Kenya’s 2022 Demographic and Health Survey, nearly one in five children under the age of five is stunted. 

Only about a third of children aged six to 23 months receive the minimum acceptable diet needed for healthy growth and development.

Scientists say these statistics matter far beyond physical growth. The first years of life are a period of rapid brain development, when nutrition, nurturing care, and positive stimulation lay the foundation for learning, emotional wellbeing, and future productivity.

“When a child’s brain development is compromised during these critical years, the effects can last a lifetime,” explained one participant at the conference. “But the good news is that many of these challenges are preventable.”

Despite the scale of the challenge, Africa faces a significant shortage of locally generated brain health research and trained neuroscientists. 

Much of the evidence informing policies and interventions has historically been generated outside the continent, often in contexts vastly different from African realities.

To bridge this gap, a new generation of African researchers is stepping forward through the Africa Leadership for Measuring Brain Health in Children and Adolescents (ALMA) consortium.

Launched in 2023, ALMA is an African-led initiative dedicated to building scientific capacity in neuroscience and child mental health research. 

The programme is currently training more than 50 early-career researchers from Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, and Zambia, equipping them with the skills needed to investigate how children’s brains develop and what interventions work best in local communities.

For young scientists like those participating in ALMA, the programme represents more than academic training. It is an opportunity to generate solutions rooted in African experiences and challenges.

The consortium brings together leading institutions including Aga Khan University’s Institute for Human Development, the University of Cape Town, the University of Zambia, and Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, alongside international collaborators from the University of Oxford and Massachusetts General Hospital.

Already, the impact is beginning to emerge.

In Kenya, ALMA-supported research has contributed to the development of a Mental Health Literacy Toolkit for adolescents. Designed for use in schools, the toolkit aims to increase awareness of mental health conditions, reduce stigma, and create more supportive environments for young people facing emotional and psychological challenges.

For many educators and parents, such initiatives are increasingly important as mental health concerns among children and adolescents receive greater public attention.

Speaking at the conference, Kenya’s Principal Secretary for Science, Research and Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, emphasized the importance of investing in scientific research as a driver of national development.

“When we invest in research, we invest in better decisions,” he said. “Evidence helps us understand what challenges our communities are facing, and which solutions are most likely to improve lives. For governments, this knowledge is essential for designing policies and programmes that respond to people’s needs and create opportunities for future generations.”

The need for such evidence is particularly visible in Kenya’s rapidly growing urban centres. Research conducted in Nairobi County has revealed persistent inequalities in early childhood development outcomes between children living in informal settlements and those in more affluent neighbourhoods. 

Many families continue to face barriers to accessing nurturing care, including early learning opportunities, responsive caregiving support, and developmental services.

These findings have informed broader national efforts to strengthen early childhood development systems. 

Kenya’s Social and Behaviour Change Communication Strategy for Early Childhood Development (2023–2026) calls for increased investment in caregiver support, health services, and learning environments to help children reach their full developmental potential.

For Dr. Tania Bubela, Provost and Vice President Academic at Aga Khan University, addressing these challenges requires collaboration across sectors.

“The challenges facing human development today require the participation of everyone researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and communities,” she said. “This conference provides a platform to strengthen our understanding and contribute to creating equitable, evidence-based impact for all.”