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By Gabriel Dike
The Global Partnership for Education (GPE) has announced that Germany would contribute €45 million annually from 2027 to 2032, becoming the first sovereign donor to make a multi-annual pledge to GPE’s new global financing campaign, ‘Multiply Possibility.’
Co-hosted by Nigeria and Italy, the campaign aims to mobilise $5 billion and unlock an additional $10 billion in co-financing to transform learning for 750 million children across more than 90 partner countries. The initiative also seeks to strengthen countries’ domestic education budgets and promote sustainable, nationally led financing systems.
The launch event, hosted by Reem Alabali Radovan, Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, under the patronage of First Lady, Elke Büdenbender, drew political leaders, development partners, private sector representatives, civil society organisations and education advocates.
Germany’s latest pledge underscores its long-standing partnership with GPE. Since joining the global fund in 2005, Germany has contributed over €446 million to advancing quality education worldwide. The country also serves actively on GPE’s Board of Directors, including its Finance and Risk Committee.
“Education is our strongest safeguard against poverty and inequality, and the foundation for a life of dignity,” said Minister Reem Alabali Radovan. “It is essential for rebuilding societies, sustaining democracy and advancing equality. That’s why Germany continues to support the Global Partnership for Education, reaffirming our commitment as a reliable partner for quality education worldwide.”
Echoing her remarks, Elke Büdenbender, Germany’s First Lady, described education as the foundation of global peace and prosperity.
“Germany is deeply committed to ensuring every child has access to quality education, no matter where they live,” she said. “Renewing our partnership with GPE reflects our belief that education is the foundation for peace, prosperity and sustainable development worldwide.”
According to GPE Chief Executive Officer, Laura Frigenti, Germany’s commitment marks a statement of confidence in the power of education to transform lives.
“One of GPE’s first and most important donor partners, Germany has helped us to get millions of boys and girls into learning in the Sahel, Afghanistan, Ukraine and beyond,” Frigenti said. “Even in difficult times, this contribution reminds us that we can come together to open doors of opportunity and hope.”
Over €370 million has already been pledged to the Multiply Possibility campaign by sovereign donors, philanthropists and foundations. The drive represents one of the most ambitious global efforts to reverse learning losses and expand access to education, particularly in low-income countries.
The campaign comes as the largest generation of young people in history approaches adulthood. By 2040, nearly 900 million youth in GPE partner countries will enter the workforce. Yet, more than 270 million children remain out of school and almost 90 percent of 10-year-olds in low-income countries cannot read or understand a simple text.
Experts warn that this learning crisis threatens economic stability, gender equality and peace.
Studies show that one additional year of education can reduce the risk of conflict by up to 20 percent, particularly when girls have equal access to learning.
A fully funded GPE, officials say, could yield massive social and economic dividends, including $840 billion in added global economic output, 23 million people lifted out of poverty, $7.7 billion saved in climate-related losses, and 204 million additional children enrolled in school, half of them girls.
Education has been credited with driving half of global economic growth and reducing 40 percent of extreme poverty over the past four decades. GPE’s new financing model seeks to shift global education funding away from short-term projects toward sustainable, nationally owned investments that strengthen public education systems.
“Education is one of the smartest investments any country can make,” Frigenti said. “It multiplies progress across all development goals, from health and gender equality to climate action and economic resilience.”
With Germany’s multi-annual pledge setting a precedent, GPE and its partners are calling on other nations, philanthropists and institutions to join in scaling global education finance, ensuring that every child, everywhere, has the opportunity to learn and thrive.
