To increase the proportion of children in grades 1 - 3 who achieve numeracy benchmarks
What We Are Trying to Solve
Too many children in Africa go to school every day but never truly learn mathematics. They advance through the early grades without mastering the basic numeracy skills that unlock all other learning. This learning gap limits their confidence, curiosity, and their future opportunities. The NRD Fund exists to change that; by supporting African-led research and innovation that helps teachers, schools, and systems ensure every child builds a strong foundation in mathematics from the very start.
Our Mission
The Numeracy Research & Development (NRD) Fund is a bold new initiative working to improve foundational numeracy outcomes for children in Sub-Saharan Africa. We focus on evidence based solutions that tackle gaps in how numeracy is taught and understood, especially in early primary years. Our goal: To support local governments and partners in helping at least 50% of students in government schools meet Grade 3 numeracy benchmarks after three years of support.
Our Approach
We find and back promising organizations across Sub-Saharan Africa that are testing new ways to boost foundational numeracy. Through our challenge fund, selected partners receive funding, hands-on technical support and opportunities to share what they’re learning with others. We’re especially interested in ideas that can grow, adapt and work at scale.
Who we are
NRD is managed by Genesis Analytics. We’re passionate about using real world evidence to drive better outcomes in education.
The fund is built on collaboration, we work closely with local implementers, researchers, and policy makers to ensure that what we learn on the ground shapes wider systems and policies.
We’re also guided by a Technical Panel made up of experts in education and numeracy. Their job is to help us stay sharp, ensuring our work is grounded and aligned with the best global thinking on how children learn math.