Building resilient investments in Africa’s education system

As Africa looks to advance its development needs, education and technology have emerged as key drivers for progress. The continent is at a pivotal point where innovative solutions and comprehensive frameworks are required to digitize education and build resilient systems that can withstand crises. In a recent interview with CNBC Africa, Albert Nsengiyumva, the Executive Secretary of the Association for the Development Of Education in Africa (ADEA), emphasized the importance of investing in technology to transform the education landscape across the continent. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 underscored the vulnerability of traditional education systems, with schools being forced to close abruptly. Nsengiyumva highlighted the need for a disruptive approach that prioritizes the needs of learners and leverages technology to address them effectively. While acknowledging that not all needs can be met through technology, he stressed the importance of focusing on those that can benefit from digital solutions. ADEA, in collaboration with the MasterCard Foundation, has been actively engaged in developing comprehensive approaches to integrate technology into education. One such initiative is the Remote Education Benchmarking Toolkits, which provide norms and standards for leveraging technology in various educational levels, including basic education, secondary education, TVET, and higher education. The approach taken by ADEA underscores the demand-driven nature of education technology, emphasizing the importance of identifying specific needs and developing tailored solutions. By engaging key stakeholders from the private sector, policymakers, educators, researchers, and NGOs, ADEA and the MasterCard Foundation are ensuring a holistic ecosystem that supports the integration of technology in education. Moreover, Nsengiyumva highlighted the role of innovative solutions from the private sector, particularly start-up companies, in driving education technology forward. ADEA serves as a convener to facilitate the adoption and adaptation of these solutions by countries in Africa. Through platforms like high-level policy dialogues, ministers of education are engaged to ensure leadership buy-in and drive the necessary change at a national level. While the acceptance and open-mindedness towards investing in technology in education are growing, Nsengiyumva acknowledged the challenges in transitioning from pilot initiatives to scalable solutions. To address this, ADEA is mobilizing countries to expand financial possibilities, such as the African Development Fund's STI Fund for Africa, which aims to prioritize African needs and support homegrown solutions. The influx of young innovators in the edtech sector is a promising sign of Africa's potential in driving technology-enabled education. However, the gap lies in ensuring the adoption and scaling of these innovative solutions within the education system. Nsengiyumva emphasized the importance of policy dialogues and collaboration to bridge this gap and foster sustainable growth in the edtech sector. As Africa strives to integrate technology into its education system, the focus on resilience, innovation, and homegrown solutions will be critical in building a robust and adaptable education infrastructure for the future.