Education and technology leaders from across the continent have urged urgent, coordinated action to close Africa’s widening digital learning divide.
The call followed the Central Working Group (CWG) EdTech Roundtable, which combined a high-level physical session in Lagos with virtual forums in multiple African countries.
Organized by Rhealyz Global Empowerment Initiative (‘Rhealyz Africa’) with support from the Global Campaign for Education (GCE) and the German Corporation (GIZ), the events brought together policymakers, youth leaders, educators, developers, EdTech companies, civil society representatives, Lagos State Vocational and Technical Education Board (LASTVEB), Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education and other public sector officials. Data from recent EdTech surveys provided a strong evidence base for the discussions.
Delegates identified persistent barriers to digital education, including inadequate infrastructure, poor internet connectivity in rural areas, high data costs, limited teacher training, policy gaps, weak advocacy, and gender inequalities in technology access.
In its communiqué, the CWG called for co-developing affordable, zero-rated internet and devices for learners, investing in solar-powered community learning hubs, and scaling offline-ready EdTech tools for low-connectivity regions. It recommended mandatory digital literacy training for teachers, embedding EdTech in national curricula, and funding youth- and girl-led initiatives. Delegates also urged the creation of culturally relevant, inclusive content in local languages and the establishment of a continental digital education observatory to monitor progress and ensure accountability.
Speaking in Lagos, Dr. Ireti Adesida, Founder of Rhealyz Africa, warned of the risks of unregulated AI in education, noting that “technology must enhance human creativity, not replace it.”
The CWG affirmed that impactful, equitable digital education in Africa is possible—if people, especially young learners, remain at the centre of design and execution. The events marked a united step toward a more inclusive, technology-driven future for African education.
