Education is a powerful tool for transformation in Africa, but the sector faces a critical challenge: a legacy of colonialism that has shaped the continent’s higher education systems. As the continent strives to reclaim its cultural identity and address its unique challenges, the need to decolonize higher education has become increasingly urgent. But what does this mean in practice?In this episode, Senyo speaks with Pauline Essah, Chief Impact Officer at Education Sub-Saharan Africa (ESSA), to explore the complexities of this key issue. Pauline shares her insights on the tensions between research autonomy and external funding, the importance of integrating indigenous knowledge systems and the need to amplify minority voices in research.