In social sciences and in pedagogy, the role of peers, peer groups and social relationships in successful learning and belonging is not unknown. This often refers to small group or pair learning and its positive effects. This paper addresses the topic from the perspective of African traditions, community values and their transmission in traditional education. It also provides insights into some concrete contemporary examples and programmes in which peer support/peer learning is consciously applied. This is a less discussed aspect of the resources on education in Sub-Saharan Africa, although the role of peers, the contribution of local knowledge and community in one way or another, contributes to the development and learning of the individual in both traditional and contemporary education. Mutual support for each other is one of the traditional values of African communities, along with other areas that are today referred to and emphasised as soft skills. This social skill reflects the collectivist approach of Black African cultures, in which learning is both a personal and shared value. The support received from peers is passed on as part of community belonging today and can be understood as a contribution to learning success. The paper summarises its current forms and characteristics, highlighting the importance of the role of peers in local knowledge and contemporary educational expectations, with the aim to identifying opportunities and challenges for support. It lists examples of programmes that can serve as models for peer support and highlights its role in strengthening communities and addressing various social problems. [For the full proceedings, see ED665357.]