About NePALA
Network of Pan Africa Literacy Association
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 Africa 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 Africa Literacy Association (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
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:
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)