About NePALA

Network of Pan African Literacy Associations

Motto: Literacy for Holistic Development

Our History: From IDC-A to NePALA

The concept of the International Development Committee-Africa (IDC-A) started way back in 1999 effectively about and around the hosting of the First Pan African Literacy for All (PALFA) Conference in Pretoria, South Africa as an initiative of the then International Reading Association (IRA), now International Literacy Association (ILA).

From then till now, IDC-A has facilitated the organization of 13 PALFA conferences across the length and breadth of Africa. It was at the PALFA Conference in Cape Town, South Africa in 2015 that the idea of providing guidelines to organize the IDC-A was muted through the facilitation of Ms. Elizabeth Wangui who was then working with IRA.

Between then and now, the transition from IDC-A to Network of Pan African Literacy Associations (NePALA) has been an ongoing conversation which has materialized and given birth to NePALA at the 14th PALFA Conference in Lagos, Nigeria (2025).

Vision Statement

To be Africa's leading literacy voice.

Mission Statement

To promote innovative practices in literacy teaching, learning and research.

Objectives of NePALA

1Coordinate the establishment of national literacy associations in Africa

2Formulate literacy framework of actions for affiliates to NePALA

3Influence policy on literacy teaching and learning in member countries

4Coordinate literacy education initiatives within NePALA affiliates

5Create strategic partnerships for resource mobilization

6Support the development and promotion of literacy teaching, learning and research in Africa

7Honor innovative literacy practices' innovators in Africa at both individual and organizational levels

Governance Structure

How NePALA is organized and governed

General Assembly (GA)

The GA shall be the highest decision-making organ of NePALA, constituted by member country literacy associations (Affiliates). It provides policy thrust and general direction, and determines membership and subscription fees.

Executive Committee (EC)

Elected from the General Assembly to oversee day-to-day operations for a two-year term. Members are elected on a regional basis to represent:

Eastern Africa

Central Africa

North Africa

Southern Africa

West Africa

The EC consists of:

Chairperson

2-year term, not eligible for re-election

Vice Chairperson

Secretary

Treasurer

Editor

3-year term, renewable once

Administrative Headquarters

NePALA headquarters shall be rotational based on the location of the chairperson until a continental headquarters is secured.

Affiliations

NePALA shall be an affiliate of the International Literacy Association (ILA) and partner with other continental associations such as the Federation of European Literacy Associations (FELA).

Appreciation

The Guidelines Drafting Committee members include:

Gabriel Egbe

Chair — Nigeria

George Andima

Member — Kenya

Loy Tumusiime

Member — Uganda

Chinwe Muodumogu

Member — Nigeria

Catherine Langsford

Member — South Africa