EdTech in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward

Dr Elizabeth Wamicha During last year's Heels Connect: Women In Tech

The rise of EdTech in Africa isn’t a distant future for we are seeing technology dismantling barriers to education but the journey isn’t without hurdles.

In a recent OVAReact Podcast episode, Dr. Elizabeth Wamicha a tech consultant, former lecturer, and advocate for digital inclusion shared hard truths and hopeful insights about Africa’s EdTech revolution. Here’s what every educator, entrepreneur, and policymaker needs to know:

The State of EdTech in Africa: Progress and Gaps

Access vs. Adoption

Africa has the youngest population globally, yet millions lack access to quality education. EdTech bridges this gap but unevenly.

• The Good: Platforms like M-Shule (Kenya) and Ulesson (Nigeria) deliver localised curricula via SMS and apps.

• The Challenge: Only 28% of Africans have internet access. "You can’t deploy AI-driven learning if schools lack electricity," Dr. Wamicha notes.

  
  

The AI Dilemma

While Japan integrates AI into schools as young as Nursery, Africa grapples with basics because of the key following factors:

• The Infrastructure in the continent slows progress because the costs of devices and data are high which ultimately makes access exclusive than inclusive.

• There is a policy lag. Dr Wamicha urges Governments to prioritise digital literacy in national budgets.

  
  

"AI won’t replace teachers—but teachers using AI will replace those who don’t." Dr Wamicha

Barriers Holding Africa Back

Rural Challenges

Rural areas in Africa often face spotty connectivity and cultural resistance but the key solution is for tech organisations to create hybrid models of also introducing the USSD concept of low-cost SMS to reach offline learners.

Gender Disparities

• Only 30% of African tech roles are held by women.

• Girls are often steered away from STEM.

Dr. Wamicha encourages solutions like mentorship programs, like one she runs for young women in tech and providing parents educative resources to help shift mindsets.

Funding Myths

Investors will often favour fintech over EdTech, assuming it’s "non-profit." yet the African EdTech market could hit $1.3B by 2027 this according to HolonIQ. A perfect example that shows the heightened possibility of the extent of funding opportunity availability is Kidato, which is an online school based in Kenya that was founded in 2021 raised $1.4M for its affordable online high-quality K-12 education to the growing middle class in Africa. It addresses the challenge of expensive private schools and large public school class sizes by offering a rigorous international curriculum at a fraction of the cost, with small class sizes. 

Opportunities to Seize Now

Localised Content

"A math app for Nairobi won’t work in Niger," says Dr. Wamicha highlighting why Startups like Kukua makers of Super Sema are successful for showing the power of culturally relevant storytelling.

Mobile-First Learning

There are 96% of Africans who have mobile access and also other options for learning through Apps such as WhatsApp.

The future of education in Africa isn’t just about technology it’s about people. It’s about the girl in a rural village logging into her first coding lesson, the teacher using AI to personalise learning, and the entrepreneur building solutions for communities left behind. The challenges are real, but so are the opportunities. By investing in infrastructure, prioritising inclusivity, and empowering local innovators, Africa can rewrite the narrative, from playing catch-up to leading the EdTech revolution. The tools are here. The talent is ready. Now, it’s time to act.

What role will you play? If you wish to know how to answer this question practically we wish to invite to our upcoming Heels Connect: Women In Tech Brunch 2.0. This is our second edition that is bringing together experts and leaders who will be equipping those growing their careers in tech or interested in tech with the right mindset, pitching opportunities and connecting with like minded women. Grab Your Ticket Today!

Watch the full podcast below with Dr Elizabeth Wamicha to gain more insights on how to get into Edtech!