Technology ignites passion for learning – Minister of Education

Under the auspices of the Minister of Education, the Mastercard foundation, approximately 600 stakeholders from more than 30 countries across Africa and beyond gathered from July 8 to 10 at the first-ever Mastercard Foundation EdTech Conference in Abuja, Nigeria, to deliberate on education technology for resilient and inclusive learning in Africa. It was unanimously agreed by participants that the incorporation of technology into educational systems in Africa is now a necessity, not a luxury.

Co-hosted with the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Federal Minister of Education, and the mastercard foundation news the conference wrapped up with a joint call to action on 10 recommendations for governments and other EdTech stakeholders. Peter Materu, Chief Program Officer at the Mastercard Foundation, emphasized to attendees that investing in education in Africa is not solely for the continent but for the global human capital. He stressed the importance of enhancing resilience in learning systems to better equip for future challenges like the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Materu also highlighted the commitment of the Mastercard Foundation to collaborate with partners in expanding education initiatives and facilitating innovations that promote the integration of technology into educational systems.

Submission of the Minister of Education

Prof. Tahir Mamman, Nigeria’s Federal Minister of Education, expressed that “technology is not just a mere tool; it serves as a potent motivator that empowers students and sparks their enthusiasm for learning.”

Dr. Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Federal Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, who spoke after the Minister of Education, emphasized that EdTech’s foundation lies in inclusion. He stated that failing to reach all learners would hinder the potential to transform education.

Recommendations to the Minister of Education

The participants suggested the following recommendations to guide national decision-making in Africa for the development of a successful EdTech ecosystem and for implementation by the Minister of Education:

1. Promote local innovation by implementing supportive EdTech policies, with governments through the minister of education taking the lead as proactive facilitators and consumers of high-quality content and delivery methods.
2. Coordinate inter-ministerial strategies, plans, and initiatives to ensure a cohesive cross-sector policy for technology-enabled access to education for everyone.
3. Invest in essential infrastructure by utilizing resources like Universal Service Funds to support electricity, internet connectivity, devices, and dedicated infrastructure for educational programs.
4. Utilize data to drive decision-making by investing in government systems and capabilities through the minister of education to ensure timely collection, analysis, and informed choices.
5. Improve the capacity for delivering EdTech solutions by training teachers to effectively utilize technology in education and assisting education leaders in implementing tech-enabled processes and data analysis.
6. Standardize the integration of EdTech in education by establishing and enforcing clear, context-specific guidelines for incorporating technology into the curriculum.
7. Provide guidance for context-specific innovation through clear and timely approval processes for content, tools, and licenses to promote innovation, investment, and the widespread adoption of technology.
8. Broaden the educational opportunities for out-of-school youth by creating flexible technology-based alternatives for learning, accredited certification, and re-entry into the formal education system.
9. Reduce barriers to accessing EdTech through strategic partnerships between the private and public sectors that promote evidence-based policies and affordable solutions for all. The minister of education to take charge
10. Integrate responsive inclusivity in policy and innovation processes by focusing on gender equity, persons with disabilities, refugees, and displaced persons, and actively involving diverse young people in the development and implementation of initiatives.

The minister of education and Mastercard Foundation sponsored conference centered on discussions regarding the status of EdTech in Africa, evaluation of technology-driven solutions to educational challenges on the continent, data analysis, partnerships, funding, and the potential of leveraging emerging technologies to enhance the skills development of young individuals, especially young women.

Dr. Jamila Bio Ibrahim, the Federal Minister of Youth Development in Nigeria, who toed the line of the Minister of education, stressed the importance of promoting inclusivity in educational reforms. She highlighted the necessity of incorporating all voices, particularly those of young women, in policy-making to ensure effectiveness.

Chido Mpemba, the African Union’s Special Youth Envoy, emphasized that accessible innovations can have a global perspective while still meeting the specific needs of Africa’s youth.

Products Showcase and solutions seen by the Minister of Education

African EdTech entrepreneurs showcased their solutions at the conference to illustrate how initiatives promoting impactful educational innovation can shape the future of learning. The Minister of Education was on hand to see the solutions. The outcomes of the conference were presented at the 3rd Ministerial Forum on EdTech in Africa, held at the end of the event. Three recommendations were identified for immediate action before the next Forum.

1. Creating plans and guidelines for the incorporation of educational technology into educational frameworks.
2. Enhancing the quality of educational data and the necessary analytical abilities for making decisions based on evidence.
3. Tackling the issue of out-of-school children and adolescents in Africa, which currently totals 108 million and is on the rise.

About the MasterCard Foundation

Through its Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, the mastercard foundation news strategically collaborates to promote innovation, exchange best practices, conduct research, and organize events like the EdTech Conference to enhance inclusive education, particularly for marginalized learners. Discussing the recently concluded conference in Abuja, Joseph Nsengimana, the Director of the Mastercard Foundation Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, stated, “The shared dedication to advancing education through the influence of technology holds the potential to greatly reshape the educational environment, ensuring that Africa’s youth are well-prepared for the future.”

The upcoming EdTech Conference is scheduled for 2026, coinciding with the Mastercard Foundation’s 20th anniversary.

The mastercard foundation news, a registered Canadian charity, is among the largest foundations globally. It collaborates with forward-thinking organizations to promote education and financial inclusion, empowering young individuals in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to secure meaningful employment opportunities. Established in 2006 through the generosity of Mastercard upon its transition to a public company, the Foundation operates independently from the corporation, with offices in various cities. The Foundation’s policies, operations, and program decisions are overseen by its Board of Directors and leadership.

For further details about the Foundation, please visit Mastercard foundation www.mastercardfdn.org.

The Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning focuses on leveraging technology to enhance access to quality education, particularly for marginalized communities. The Centre partners with various stakeholders, such as innovation hubs, EdTech entrepreneurs, policymakers, researchers, educators, and learners, to facilitate the effective integration of technology in education. This includes supporting the development, deployment, and scaling of innovative EdTech solutions that enhance learning outcomes and strengthen the education sector. To learn more about the Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, please visit the website for more details on the mastercard foundation news:

The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Conference, organized biennially by the Foundation’s Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, aims to revolutionize the future of education in Africa through technology. Launched in July 2024, the conference brings together EdTech stakeholders to exchange best practices and enhance access to relevant, high-quality, and inclusive education across the continent.