The future of Africa’s youth is largely dependent on the education and edtech sectors. However, the current state of education and edtech in Africa is a cause for serious concern:

These statistics establish both the urgency and the opportunity for large-scale EdTech interventions. Due to these challenges, continental and national strategies and master plans have been developed to accelerate the adoption of technology within the education sector and grow edtech ecosystems across Africa. There are three key policies and strategic plans shaping the future of Africa’s Digital Education landscape:

The desired impact of these policies on the edtech and education sectors can be summarised as follows:

Current Edtech solutions make it difficult for users to move across different systems, as users are ‘locked-in’ by edtech providers. For instance, if a person uses a particular Learning Management System (LMS), it is very difficult to transfer data or perform other tasks on another platform. With the implementation of the aforementioned strategic plans, the African Union wants the continent to adopt a vendor-neutral approach. “Vendor-neutral edtech” refers to educational technology tools, platforms, or standards that aren’t tied to one specific company, ecosystem, or proprietary product. Instead, they’re designed to work across different devices, systems, and learning environments. This means that:

The cost of infrastructure and edtech solutions is still a problem in Africa. Consequently, Africa will prioritise mobile-first + offline-first solutions to reduce the cost of access for underprivileged learners on the continent. To limit the impact of power outages on learning, expect solar charging and caching networks to cut dependence on unreliable national grids. The AU’s plans also stress the importance of telecom partnerships to accelerate rural inclusion. Startups will have to prioritise solutions that are accessible to learners from all income groups and geographies.

In order to realise the vision, emphasis will be placed on equipping teachers with the necessary digital skills for the new era of education. The AU will help member states develop and implement a common African Teachers’ Digital Skills and Certification framework to ensure teachers have excellent digital literacy and the skills required to effectively teach learners using different technology tools. This drive naturally opens up new opportunities for startups, which are highlighted in the next section.

These strategic plans are intended to encourage the creation of curriculum-aligned digital content, assessment and learning platforms. The AU states that countries must ensure ecosystem stakeholders work together to create culturally relevant content, assessment and learning platforms which are inclusive and interactive. This includes converting local textbooks and materials into digital content, delivering online material in local languages and ensuring online assessment and learning platforms are aligned with national curricula. Furthermore, the plan emphasises the need to create edtech solutions which cater to learners with disabilities.

Improving the digital literacy & skills of learners and the future workforce is one of the key strategic objectives for Africa. This is reflected in the call to develop and implement a continent-wide competency framework for students, from early-childhood to tertiary education. The framework will focus on equipping people with the relevant skills needed to thrive in the future. Skills such as entrepreneurship and coding will be integral pillars in the framework.

The Vendor-Neutral Edtech Opportunity

A vendor-neutral EdTech solution provides a unified platform that allows schools, governments, and institutions to integrate multiple digital learning tools without being locked into a single provider. Instead of relying on one company’s ecosystem, the system uses open standards, interoperability, and flexible architecture so learners and educators can access different apps, content, and analytics tools seamlessly. This approach is especially valuable in Africa, where countries use diverse systems and require solutions that can scale across regions.

The Smart Classroom Opportunity

A smart classroom uses digital tools—such as interactive whiteboards, tablets, sensors, learning management systems, and AI-powered software—to create a more engaging and efficient learning environment. These classrooms combine traditional teaching with technology that supports multimedia lessons, real-time assessments, and personalised learning paths. In Africa, smart classrooms present a major opportunity to modernise public schools, bridge learning gaps, and improve teacher effectiveness. They can also support remote or hybrid learning when needed.

The Personalised Learning Opportunity

Personalised learning software uses data, analytics, and adaptive technology to tailor learning experiences to each student’s needs, pace, and skill level. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, these tools adjust content difficulty, provide targeted feedback, and recommend learning paths based on a learner’s progress. In Africa, personalised learning can help address overcrowded classrooms, diverse learning abilities, and limited teacher capacity. These tools support improved learning outcomes, early identification of learning gaps, and greater student engagement.

The low-cost or offline-first EdTech opportunity

The low-cost or offline-first EdTech opportunity focuses on delivering digital learning tools that work reliably in environments with limited connectivity, inconsistent electricity, and low device ownership. These solutions include lightweight mobile apps, SMS/USSD learning platforms, radio/TV blended tools, downloadable content packs, and hardware like solar-powered tablets. The goal is to make high-quality education accessible to underserved learners without requiring expensive infrastructure. In many African countries, offline-first EdTech bridges equity gaps by reaching rural schools, low-income households, and displaced learners. The opportunity lies in creating scalable, affordable products that deliver meaningful learning outcomes with minimal technical requirements.

Learners’ Digital Literacy and Skills Training Opportunity

Digital literacy and skills training focuses on teaching learners how to confidently and safely use digital tools such as computers, mobile devices, productivity software, and online platforms. It also includes skills like online safety, information evaluation, basic coding, and problem-solving with technology. Across Africa, many students lack foundational digital skills, limiting their ability to participate in modern education and future work opportunities. This creates a large market for EdTech solutions designed to teach essential digital skills through online courses, interactive apps, school partnerships, boot camps, and community programs. The opportunity is especially strong where governments and NGOs are prioritising digital inclusion.

Digital literacy training for teachers

Digital literacy training for teachers focuses on equipping educators with the skills needed to effectively use technology in the classroom. This includes basic computer skills, using learning management systems, digital content creation, online safety, data literacy, and integrating technology into lessons. As many African education systems adopt EdTech tools, teacher capacity remains a major barrier. This creates a strong market opportunity for platforms, workshops, certification programs, and blended training models that help teachers use technology confidently. Improving teacher digital skills increases the impact of any EdTech investment, strengthens classroom innovation, and supports the long-term digital transformation of schools.