Final answer:
Boys generally have more access to education than girls in many African nations, with significant gender disparities reflected in literacy rates. These disparities highlight the critical link between girls' education and economic growth, as educating girls can lead to numerous socioeconomic benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
The group that traditionally has more access to education in many African nations is boys. According to the World Bank data from the early 2000s, about 110 million children ages 6 to 11 were not in school, with about two-thirds of them being girls. In many parts of Africa, there are significant gender disparities in educational access, which is reflected in the literacy rates of various African countries. For instance, in Afghanistan, the literacy rate was 62% for males and only 32% for females aged 15-24 in 2005-2014. Similarly, in Benin, literacy rates for the same age group were 55% for males and 31% for females. In Nigeria, which is Africa's most populous country, the rates were 76% for males and 58% for females.
The economic growth of low-income countries is deeply tied to girls' education. Educating girls leads to multiple socioeconomic benefits, including reduced child and maternal mortality, improved child nutrition, lower birth rates, and better economic productivity. Analysts have noted that nations at the top of the educational rankings often have well-established education standards, clear goals for students, and recruit teachers from the top university graduates, all of which contribute to educational success and, ultimately, economic growth.