THE 37th African Union (AU) Summit in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa closed on Sunday with a commitment to prioritising education across the continent.

Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani, president of Mauritania and the new chair of the AU, said high-quality education in Africa that embraces science and technology was key to the success of the continent’s sustainable development.

As he took over the helm of the African bloc for the next year, Mr Ghazouani said education was “a crucial catalyst for security, stability and the cultivation of skills that pave a pivotal role in breaking the cycle of unemployment, poverty and fragility.”