Imagine a future where every African child, regardless of their background, has access to quality education. This dream is becoming a reality thanks to affordable technology and innovative programmes.
Ajira Digital Programme, a government initiative, in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, eMobilis, and Kenya Private Sector Alliance, is revolutionising education by leveraging technology to empower the next generation.
Unesco's 2023 report paints a challenging picture: About one in five primary school children and nearly six in ten teenagers in sub-Saharan Africa aren't in school.
Wealth disparities worsen the situation, with wealthier households receiving more public education resources. Only about 9.4 percent of students in sub-Saharan Africa enrol in higher education, much lower than the global average.
But affordable technology offers hope. Mobile learning, taking advantage of Africa's high mobile phone usage, delivers educational content via SMS and apps, even to remote areas.
Open Educational Resources (OER) and digital libraries remove textbook cost barriers. Affordable devices like tablets and Chromebooks, along with more Wi-Fi hotspots, expand online learning access.
Technology also allows personalised learning, adapting to each student's needs and boosting engagement.
In Kenya, affordable tech is breaking down education barriers. High mobile phone use has led to m-learning platforms like M-Shule, providing personalised SMS lessons to students in remote areas.
The Kenya Education Cloud, a government initiative, offers digital content and resources, making learning materials more accessible.
The Ajira Digital Programme is a standout example of how affordable technology can bridge the education gap. It aims to empower young Kenyans to participate in the digital economy. The programme supports over 100 Ajira Youth Empowerment Centres (AYECs) and more than 170 Ajira Clubs across the country.
These centres provide essential digital resources and training, preparing individuals for opportunities in the digital economy.
The Ajira programme offers free training and job linkage services to young Kenyans, equipping them with the skills needed to thrive in the digital job market.
The programme's comprehensive training covers a wide range of digital skills, including online work, freelancing, and gig economy opportunities.
By focusing on inclusivity and leveraging partnerships with the government, tech companies, and NGOs, Ajira ensures that its training reaches a broad audience and maintains high quality.
A 2024 tracer survey revealed that 60 percent of the over 450,000 young Kenyans trained through Ajira Digital have successfully transitioned to work.
This statistic underscores the programme's effectiveness in not only providing education but also in facilitating real-world economic opportunities.
Low-cost tech like mobile phones, tablets, e-readers, projectors, and interactive whiteboards are making a real impact in African classrooms. Mobile classrooms, like Huawei’s DigiTruck, bring digital literacy training to remote areas.
These technologies are effective because they are affordable, adaptable, and can complement traditional teaching methods.
For affordable EdTech solutions to grow, governments and private sector players must work together. Governments can create regulations and invest in infrastructure, while private companies can offer expertise and resources.
Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can develop content, train teachers, and build digital skills. Rwanda’s EdTech achievements, including smart classrooms, device distribution, and digital content creation, show the power of such collaborations.
Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual and Augmented Reality (VR/AR), advanced mobile tech, low-cost computing, and blockchain have great potential to expand education access.
AI can personalise learning experiences, and OER can make education more affordable by pulling down cost barriers. The future of education in Africa is digital brilliance. AI tutors, solar-powered tablets, and open-source textbooks will help African students solve local problems and become global innovators.
Finally, we must remember that over 60 percent of African students still lack basic education tools. We need stronger public-private partnerships, better infrastructure, and to break down the barriers that prevent girls from reaching their full potential.
Let’s use EdTech to light up every part of our continent, ensuring every African child can learn, grow, and thrive. The future of Africa is not just digital; it is educated, empowered and happening now.
