June 24, 2025 – UNICEF published the latest evidence of early childhood development in Eastern and Southern Africa, offering a comprehensive statistical profile across the five domains the Nurturing Care Framework: good health, adequate nutrition, responsive caregiving, early learning, and safety and security. The report reveals that while significant progress has been made in reducing child mortality and expanding access to essential services, millions of young children in the region remain off track in their development due to persistent inequities, undernutrition, limited early stimulation, and barriers to learning. Drawing on nationally representative data, the report is a call to action for governments, policymakers, development partners and communities to invest more intentionally and equitably in the early years.