A Collection of Voices on Higher Educational Access, Quality and Equity in Africa: A Systematic Review

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Title: A Collection of Voices on Higher Educational Access, Quality and Equity in Africa: A Systematic Review
Language: English
Authors: Araba A. Z. Osei-Tutu (ORCID 0000-0001-9009-7210), Ebenezer Darkwah Odame (ORCID 0000-0003-4023-3952), Joseph Bawa (ORCID 0000-0001-8761-9348), Samuel Amponsah (ORCID 0000-0002-4303-4863)
Source: Review of Education. 2025 13(3).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2025
Intended Audience: Policymakers; Practitioners
Document Type: Journal Articles
Information Analyses
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Higher Education, Access to Education, Educational Quality, Equal Education, Foreign Countries, Quality Assurance, Regional Characteristics, Differences, Privatization, Open Education, Distance Education, College Admission, Student Financial Aid, Educational Development
Geographic Terms: Africa
DOI: 10.1002/rev3.70115
ISSN: 2049-6613
Abstract: This systematic review aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of conversations and voices of scholars on access, equity and quality in higher education (HE) in Africa. The systematic review employed a thematic analysis approach to synthesise findings from 38 selected sources. The review revealed that although some significant strides have been made to improve access, equity and quality of higher education in Africa, there are some challenges persisting with infrastructure, regional and spatial disparities, and privatisation. The review also revealed weak enforcement of quality assurance measures. Strategies for addressing these challenges include expanding public sector HE, deregulating the educational sector, promoting open and distance learning, implementing preferential admission policies and enhancing financial aid. This research provides valuable insights for policy makers, educators and stakeholders, fostering a collaborative approach to address challenges and promote holistic development in African higher education.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1492011
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: A Collection of Voices on Higher Educational Access, Quality and Equity in Africa: A Systematic Review
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  Data: English
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Araba+A%2E+Z%2E+Osei-Tutu%22">Araba A. Z. Osei-Tutu</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9009-7210">0000-0001-9009-7210</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ebenezer+Darkwah+Odame%22">Ebenezer Darkwah Odame</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4023-3952">0000-0003-4023-3952</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Joseph+Bawa%22">Joseph Bawa</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8761-9348">0000-0001-8761-9348</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Samuel+Amponsah%22">Samuel Amponsah</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4303-4863">0000-0002-4303-4863</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Review+of+Education%22"><i>Review of Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 13(3).
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  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
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  Data: Y
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  Data: 23
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: Policymakers; Practitioners
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  Data: Journal Articles<br />Information Analyses
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Access+to+Education%22">Access to Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Quality%22">Educational Quality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Equal+Education%22">Equal Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Quality+Assurance%22">Quality Assurance</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Regional+Characteristics%22">Regional Characteristics</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Differences%22">Differences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Privatization%22">Privatization</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Open+Education%22">Open Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Distance+Education%22">Distance Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Admission%22">College Admission</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Financial+Aid%22">Student Financial Aid</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Development%22">Educational Development</searchLink>
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  Label: Geographic Terms
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Africa%22">Africa</searchLink>
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  Data: 10.1002/rev3.70115
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  Data: 2049-6613
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This systematic review aimed at providing a comprehensive overview of conversations and voices of scholars on access, equity and quality in higher education (HE) in Africa. The systematic review employed a thematic analysis approach to synthesise findings from 38 selected sources. The review revealed that although some significant strides have been made to improve access, equity and quality of higher education in Africa, there are some challenges persisting with infrastructure, regional and spatial disparities, and privatisation. The review also revealed weak enforcement of quality assurance measures. Strategies for addressing these challenges include expanding public sector HE, deregulating the educational sector, promoting open and distance learning, implementing preferential admission policies and enhancing financial aid. This research provides valuable insights for policy makers, educators and stakeholders, fostering a collaborative approach to address challenges and promote holistic development in African higher education.
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  Label: Entry Date
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  Data: 2026
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  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1492011
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        Value: 10.1002/rev3.70115
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      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 23
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Access to Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Quality
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Equal Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Quality Assurance
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Regional Characteristics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Differences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Privatization
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Open Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Distance Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Admission
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Financial Aid
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Africa
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: A Collection of Voices on Higher Educational Access, Quality and Equity in Africa: A Systematic Review
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