Access to universal quality education remains a challenge on the continent. With tomorrow’s leaders in the classroom today, nations are working towards ensuring their populations have 100% basic education. However, free basic education is a far reality and a joint effort is required by both the public and private sector to equip the future workforce. Affordable education is relative so what should form the basis of affordability? Is commercialising education the answer to delivering basic affordable universal education? How can the private and public sector work together towards meeting this goal?