Angie has been recognized as an extraordinary leader, working tirelessly to transform African education.
Founded by T4 Education and HP, the Africa Education Medal is Africa’s most prestigious education accolade. It recognizes the tireless work of leaders transforming education across the continent — celebrating those who have lit the spark of change so others will be inspired to take up the torch. The medal is given to an outstanding individual who has demonstrated impact, leadership, and advocacy in the field of education.
Angie heads up our pan-African, grassroots-led movement, which tackles poverty, inequality and injustice through girls’ education and women’s leadership. She herself was one of the first girls supported by CAMFED to go to secondary school in Zimbabwe, and understands from first-hand experience the hurdles girls face in accessing education. Now CAMFED’s CEO, she is uniquely positioned to bring the expertise of girls and women once excluded from education to inform policy and strategy at every level.
To follow the conversation on social media, and send your congratulations to Angie, please tag @camfed and use the hashtag #AfricaEduMedal.
In his message shared during the finalist announcement, the Hon Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, T Moyo (MP), wrote,
“This prestigious nomination is a testament to your unwavering dedication to the education of girls and the empowerment of young women across Africa…I am immensely proud of our Ministry’s longstanding partnership with CAMFED…The Ministry is particularly aware and proud that you were one of the first girls supported by CAMFED in your education. Your nomination is a powerful demonstration of your transformational leadership.”
(The photo pictures the Minister with Angie Murimirwa at our joint launch of a new in-school climate education program in March 2024)
Our warmest congratulations to Zimbabwe’s Angeline Murimirwa on being named Medallist for the Africa Education Medal 2024. Her vital work has led the way in breaking down barriers to girls in education. We know that so many others will be inspired to follow in her footsteps to build a world where every child receives the quality education that is their right.Mayank Dhingra, Senior Education Business Leader at HP
Angie was a founding member and first elected Chair of the CAMFED Association — the pan-African network of 279,000 women leaders educated with CAMFED support, and united in their determination to secure every girl’s right to quality education. Members spearhead CAMFED’s programs, partnering with their communities to provide the financial and social support girls and young women need to learn and thrive in school, and become independent and influential. Each member of the Association is financially supporting at least three other girls in their community to help them stay in school – a huge multiplier.
The Africa Education Medal honours the leaders working tirelessly to transform African education. To meet UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 of universal quality education, to end learning poverty, close learning gaps, and unlock the continent’s potential, we must give a platform to changemakers from across society who are making a real difference.Vikas Pota, Founder and CEO of T4 Education
Congratulations to our 2024 Medallist Angeline Murimirwa. Africa, and the world, has so much to learn from your inspirational example.
In her message, she said,
“I’m so very proud of my friend and fellow education leader, Angie Murimirwa, for winning the 2024 Africa Education Medal. Your outstanding leadership, and the work of the young women in the CAMFED Association, have given the African girl a fighting chance to succeed, and to tap into the immense opportunities in the continent and beyond. Congratulations my sister!”
She released this congratulations video when Angie was announced as one of the Finalists for the Africa Education medal, and said,
“Angie: your leadership is exemplary. You are a master of inclusion and collective action…I’ve experienced first-hand the magic and the multiplier of the sisterhood that is the CAMFED Association: Each graduate supporting at least 3 more girls on the journey through school, and into independence and influence at every level, advising local Chiefs and Ministry officials, becoming teachers, doctors, policy makers, and entrepreneurs running green businesses, nourishing school communities.“
I am deeply honoured by this recognition and want to pay special tribute to T4 Education and HP for highlighting Africa’s education champions. This medal belongs to our entire movement - to every single person whose commitment to education drives them to go further and do better every day. The need is great, and we cannot do this alone - together we’re raising the flag for a more equitable world.Angie Murimirwa, CEO of CAMFED and Africa Education Medal 2024 Medallist
In her message the former Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education in Zambia said,
“Angie, your immense contribution to the education of girls and the empowerment of young women across Africa has gained you this well deserved recognition…under your leadership, CAMFED has continued to support national governments in Africa with formulating policies that make government systems better serve the needs of marginalized children—especially rural girls… I have been honored to work alongside you over the years, witnessing your growth into a formidable leader. This award will no doubt inspire many more young women to make a difference in their lives, as you continue to pave the way for them. Congratulations Angie.”
Maggie honored Angie (who accepted the 2021 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize on behalf of CAMFED in 2021) and delivered a call to action:
“Congratulations to Angie Murimirwa, CEO of CAMFED, for winning the Africa Education Medal 2024. If you care about gender equality and opportunity for all, then check out the work that Angie is leading and follow @camfed to become part of a global sisterhood of girls’ education activists. Together we really can create a more equitable world.”
95% of girls from the most disadvantaged communities in rural Africa never complete secondary school. This exclusion from education plays out at every stage of young women’s lives and is passed on to future generations.
1. We partner with school communities to provide girls with individualized financial and material support to attend and succeed in school – including items like decent clothes, notebooks, and menstrual products – and build a nurturing social support network around them.
2. When they graduate, we support young women to transition to work and positions of leadership through the CAMFED Association.
3. We partner with governments to embed what works in national school systems, to ensure these better serve the needs of girls, transforming the lives of entire generations.
Angie has been invited to attend the World Schools Summit in Dubai on 23-24 November, and is looking forward to connecting with the ‘brightest sparks in education,’ as well as with the T4 Education and HP teams, who made this award possible.
Writing for BBC News, Katie Prickett details how Angie and CAMFED’s pan-African movement have ‘grown up’ together to achieve award-winning impact. Angie and her peers in the CAMFED Association are now at the forefront of CAMFED’s leadership, and setting a new agenda for girls’ education and women’s leadership in Africa.
Read the BBC News article
In conversation with Chris, Angie shares her inspiring journey rising to CEO of CAMFED – the very organization that supported her through school and introduces listeners to trailblazing women in the CAMFED Association sisterhood.
Angeline (Angie) Murimirwa, CEO of CAMFED, helped found our sisterhood of leaders for girls’ education – the CAMFED Association – 25 years ago. Watch her TED Talk to see the world through the eyes of a girl in rural Africa, find out why school is not enough, and experience the difference that a ‘Big Sister’ can make.
CNN’s African Voices Changemakers highlights the leadership of Angeline (Angie) Murimirwa and her sisters in the CAMFED Association, deploying their lived experience and deep expertise to achieve gender equality, economic development and climate action through girls’ education.
Laurence Pearl $185
Nicole Duncan $209
The LockPhantoms $253
Rachel Epstein $180
Alexandra Ornston $500
Shanice Lodge $141
Deb Williams $10.9
Kendra Cullen $158
Maggie Cutkosky $106
David Pederson $79.2
Lauren Frankel $52.9
David Shilling $106
John L Niziolek $106
Susan Webb Webb $150
Matthew Mayers $526
When she thrives, we all thrive
Together this giving season, we can make a difference that ripples outward to benefit everyone.
