Stakeholders push for urgent reforms to bridge Africa’s digital learning gap

Education and technology stakeholders have identified poor infrastructure, weak policy frameworks, and high connectivity costs as major barriers to digital learning across Africa, calling for urgent reforms to address the continent’s education gap.

The call was made during the Central Working Group (CWG) EdTech Roundtable, which held a physical session in Lagos alongside virtual forums in multiple African countries.

The meeting was convened by Rhealyz Global Empowerment Initiative (Rhealyz Africa) with support from the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) and the German Corporation (GIZ). Participants included policymakers, educators, EdTech companies, civil society groups, Lagos State Vocational and Technical Education Board (LASTVEB), the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, and youth representatives.

Presenting findings from recent surveys, delegates cited poor internet penetration in rural areas, high cost of data, limited teacher training, gender disparities, and inadequate advocacy as critical challenges limiting digital education.

In a communiqué, the CWG recommended mandatory digital literacy training for teachers, integration of EdTech into national curricula, and investment in solar-powered community learning hubs. It further proposed the co-development of affordable, zero-rated internet and devices for students, alongside offline-compatible EdTech tools for regions with low connectivity.

Delegates also called for the creation of culturally relevant learning content in local languages, funding for youth- and girl-led initiatives, and the establishment of a continental digital education observatory to track progress and accountability.

Speaking at the Lagos session, Dr. Ireti Adesida, Founder of Rhealyz Africa, cautioned against unregulated use of artificial intelligence in classrooms.

“Technology must enhance human creativity, not replace it,” Adesida said.

The CWG stressed that governments and private sector partners must work together to close the digital gap, placing learners at the centre of all interventions.

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