Adapting Competency-Based Innovative Pedagogies in Higher Education for East African Universities: Pathways to Human Capital Development and Economic Transformation

Abstract

Higher education is under increasing pressure to produce graduates equipped with the competencies required for rapidly evolving knowledge economies, technological change, and sustainable development. However, despite widespread competency-based education reforms across East Africa, teaching in many universities remains predominantly lecture-centred, limiting the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, digital competence, entrepreneurship, and other transferable skills required by contemporary labour markets. This study employed an Integrative Literature Review (ILR) and thematic analysis of contemporary literature to synthesise global evidence on competency-based innovative pedagogies (CBIPs) in higher education, and examine their contextual adaptation within East African universities. The findings indicate that CBIPs promote learner-centred, active, real-world, collaborative, technology-enhanced, and experiential learning that strengthens graduate competencies for lifelong learning and employability. Rather than advocating direct transfer of international pedagogical models, the study proposes a context-sensitive adaptation framework that integrates curriculum and assessment reform, academic staff development, digital transformation, university–industry collaboration, and enabling institutional and policy environments to support sustainable implementation. The framework demonstrates that pedagogical transformation, rather than curriculum reform alone, is essential for strengthening graduate competencies and advancing sustainable higher education transformation. The study concludes that context-sensitive adaptation of CBIPs can enhance graduate employability, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and position East African universities as strategic contributors to sustainable human capital development and regional economic transformation.