AFRICA SETS SIGHTS ON DIGITAL EDUCATION REVOLUTION WITH NEW EDTECH 2030 FRAMEWORK
AUDA-NEPAD unveils continent-wide strategy to transform learning through technology.
Africa
Edutech 2023 framework
Education systems
Auda-nepad
Technology
Innovation
Digital skills
Inclusive system.
The African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) has launched a sweeping new vision to overhaul education systems across the continent through technology, unveiling the African EdTech 2030: Vision, Plan and Policy Framework at the STEMtastic Adventures! Africa symposium this week.
The draft framework, now open for consultation, lays out an ambitious roadmap to make digital education accessible to all African learners by 2030. It aligns with existing continental blueprints, including Agenda 2063, CESA 2026–2035, and the AU Digital Transformation Strategy, intending to build resilient, inclusive, and innovation-driven learning ecosystems.
“The draft vision aims to accelerate transformation in African education by leveraging local innovation in EdTech,” said Dr. Barbara Glover, Program Officer at AUDA-NEPAD.
The strategy emphasizes Africa’s unique potential to leapfrog legacy education systems by adopting mobile-first, offline-capable learning solutions similar to how the continent pioneered mobile money in the absence of traditional banking infrastructure.
With smartphone ownership among teachers reported at over 90% in South Africa and between 30% and 65% in countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya, the foundational infrastructure already exists to scale EdTech solutions to reach remote and underserved communities.
The African EdTech 2030 framework envisions a future where every learner, regardless of gender, location, ability, or socioeconomic status, can access high-quality, affordable, and localized digital education through reliable devices and inclusive systems.
This would enable, for example, a student in rural Tanzania to study chemistry in Kiswahili without internet access, or a teacher in Kenya to use Nigerian-developed courseware aligned with their national curriculum.
The framework will be implemented in three phases:
- 2024–2026 – Foundation Building: Establish technical and policy foundations, including interoperability and content-sharing standards.
- 2026–2028 – System Integration: Scale digital public infrastructure and roll out regionally developed educational solutions.
- 2029–2030 – Consolidation & Global Leadership: Position Africa as a global EdTech exporter and operationalize a Pan-African EdTech Innovation and Research Hub.
AUDA-NEPAD is calling for multi-stakeholder engagement to ensure effective implementation. Governments are expected to align education policy and curricula, while regional bodies will oversee standardization and research. The private sector will lead infrastructure development and scalable solutions, with NGOs and development partners supporting capacity building and evaluation.
Sustainability will be achieved through blended financing models, public-private partnerships, and support from global institutions such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
“Africa has the chance to leapfrog legacy educational challenges and create a globally competitive digital learning ecosystem,” said John Kimotho, an advisor on the project. “With strategic collaboration and homegrown innovation, we can shape the future of education not just for Africa, but for the world.”
AUDA-NEPAD is inviting feedback from educators, policymakers, developers, investors, and civil society to refine the draft and build collective ownership of the strategy.
The African EdTech 2030 framework is seen as a bold step toward democratizing access to quality education and equipping the next generation with the digital skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Stakeholders interested in reviewing or contributing to the draft can access the framework through AUDA-NEPAD’s official channels.
Sustainability will be achieved through blended financing models, public-private partnerships, and support from global institutions such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
“Africa has the chance to leapfrog legacy educational challenges and create a globally competitive digital learning ecosystem,” said John Kimotho, an advisor on the project. “With strategic collaboration and homegrown innovation, we can shape the future of education not just for Africa, but for the world.”
AUDA-NEPAD is inviting feedback from educators, policymakers, developers, investors, and civil society to refine the draft and build collective ownership of the strategy.
The African EdTech 2030 framework is seen as a bold step toward democratizing access to quality education and equipping the next generation with the digital skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global economy.
Stakeholders interested in reviewing or contributing to the draft can access the framework through AUDA-NEPAD’s official channels.
