Reach for Change has been active in Africa for nearly fifteen years, empowering local social entrepreneurs to make a positive impact. We believe in the transformative power of EdTech for creating an inclusive educational system in Africa.

This article explores how Reach for Change is unlocking the potential of EdTech for the future of learning in Africa.

Unlocking Potential for the Future of Learning in Africa

The EdTech landscape in Africa has great potential but comes with unique challenges. The continent has a young, tech-savvy population eager to embrace digital learning. However, infrastructure limitations, limited access to technology, and socioeconomic disparities hinder the widespread adoption of EdTech solutions. Nonetheless, we are unlocking the potential of EdTech for the future of learning in Africa through collaborations and partnerships.

Our work in Ghana

In 2022, we launched a two-year program in Ghana to support EdTech entrepreneurs to strengthen their evidence-based solutions and prepare for scaling. The program offered grants and coaching to build connections with education stakeholders. Before the program, the EdTech entrepreneurs reached 12,155 children. After 18 months, they reached 25,000 children and youth in Ghana, improving their expertise in impact measurement and scaling strategies.

Highlights of the some successes reached by the EdTech entrepreneurs:

Perbi Cubs also joined the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship run by MEST Africa in Ghana, and the Child Dream Foundation expanded to Tamale, establishing a new school with a focus on STEM education.

In 2023, all EdTech founders believed they made significant progress towards an effective solution with Reach for Change's substantial contribution and a feasible scaling strategy. Learn more on the Edupreneur Talks podcast.

Our work in Ethiopia

We have partnered with the Mastercard Foundation to support 12 inclusive EdTech enterprises in Ethiopia over the next three years. Our goal is to provide essential resources, guidance, and funding to Ethiopian EdTech founders through the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship program, ultimately reshaping learning in Africa.

These enterprises are leveraging technology to achieve the following:

• Increasing access to quality education for underserved communities.

• Improving learning outcomes through personalized learning platforms and tools.

• Empowering teachers with professional development and support through technology.

• Bridging the digital divide with affordable and accessible technology solutions.

Three key recommendations

Following the recent Mastercard Foundation EdTech Conference in Abuja, which was attended by about 600 stakeholders from over 30 African countries, we've identified three key recommendations for scaling inclusive solutions and building a thriving EdTech ecosystem in Ethiopia:

1. Data-driven decision-making is crucial for strengthening government systems, especially in EdTech. To support the scaling effort of EdTech companies, we are eager to collaborate with the Ministry of Education to gather data on how government policies and programs for the EdTech ecosystem have evolved to support its growth.
2. It is crucial to establish clear standards for integrating technology into the educational curriculum, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to develop a framework for integrating EdTech into current teaching and learning methods.
3. Establish a private-public partnership between the Ministries of Education and Innovation and Technology and the Mobile Network Operators, to reduce subscription fees and internet costs for EdTech companies in regions like Oromia, Somali, and Tigray.

To learn more about the fellows in cohort one of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship in Ethiopia, visit here.