This webinar, presented by Kelsey Harris of the Center for Global Development, provides a comparative analysis of public expenditure on childcare and early childhood development (ECD) across selected African countries. It highlights the diversity of approaches to financing childcare services, identifying best practices and lessons for closing funding gaps. Key findings reveal significant disparities in spending levels, policy prioritisation, and access to quality services. The presentation also advocates for integrating childcare into broader social and economic policy frameworks, emphasising its role in enabling women’s labour force participation and improving child outcomes.