Education is a critical underpinning in the reduction of poverty, improving health, promoting equity and contributing to social and political stability. While the past two decades have seen enormous expansion in access to education in sub-Saharan Africa, many of the countries on the continent are lagging behind in key education outcomes. To better these outcomes within budgetary constraints requires realising more value for money spent. Officials from education and finance ministries are encouraged to consider evidence-based strategic interventions and to find more efficient, effective and economical ways to plan, finance and manage public spending in the education sector.