To ensure that no learner is left behind, African countries are increasingly turning to evidence-based strategies and digital technologies to expand access, enhance learning outcomes, and promote inclusive education. However, while progress is evident, significant gaps and challenges remain. This sub-theme will explore successful response initiatives and identify critical bottlenecks and risks – the hits and the misses – in the journey toward equitable digital transformation in education.

Leveraging Data and Evidence for Inclusive Decision-Making

A foundational step in digital transformation is the availability and use of reliable, disaggregated data to inform education policy and planning. Governments can benefit from:

• National and regional education dashboards tracking enrollment, attendance, learning outcomes, and equity indicators (e.g., gender, disability, region).
• Utilization of learning assessments such as PASEC and SEACMEQ to identify gaps and drive targeted interventions.
• Evidence-to-action platforms to translate research into practice and inform adaptive policy reform.
  Strengthening institutional capacity for data analytics and establishing a common assessment framework across countries will support more targeted and efficient decision-making.

Expanding Digital Infrastructure and Access & Providing Accessible and Inclusive EdTech Solutions

Multiple government and partner-supported initiatives are ongoing to build robust digital infrastructure, especially in rural and underserved communities. They include broadband connectivity investments through public-private partnerships, solar-powered devices and offline content servers to ensure functionality in off-grid schools, and local language and inclusive content to improve usability and understanding for all learners. These interventions improve digital access and equity, but sustaining and scaling them will require ongoing investment and policy support.

Ensuring that digital learning platforms are inclusive by design is critical. Innovative strategies include embracing assistive technologies such as screen readers, text-to-speech tools, and accessible interfaces for learners with disabilities. Others are gender-responsive platforms that consider digital safety for girls and address barriers like harassment and literacy gaps, and multilingual platforms tailored to local languages and cultural contexts. These innovations have demonstrated strong potential but require deliberate policy action and investment to ensure they reach the most marginalized.

Teacher Training and Peer Support Networks & Multi-Sector Partnerships and Innovation Hubs

Teachers remain the linchpin of successful EdTech integration. Three priority areas for effective teacher preparation are digital pedagogy training (embedded in both pre-service and in-service programs), communities of practice (where educators can share content, tools, and strategies), and real-time feedback mechanisms (that empower teachers to adapt instruction based on student needs). Efforts to equip teachers with the right skills and tools must go together with incentives, mentorship, and technical support systems.

Collaboration across sectors has catalyzed many EdTech breakthroughs in Africa. Tech hubs and startups are co-developing low-cost, context-relevant learning tools. The media is partnering with telecoms to deliver education via SMS, TV, and radio, particularly in low-connectivity areas. There are also open-source platforms and shared repositories enabling affordable scalability. Such partnerships must be strategically nurtured to deliver solutions at scale while maintaining quality and inclusivity.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptive Learning (MEAL) & Policy and Financing Reforms

Enhancing Monitoring, Evaluation, and Adaptive Learning (MEAL) requires adaptive learning systems that rely on continuous data feedback and iterative design. Examples include mobile platforms for real-time feedback from learners, parents, and teachers. It is desirable to pilot-test innovations before scaling, and refining based on evidence. Scalable models that are flexible, responsive, and informed by rigorous M&E helps to strengthen MEAL. Building capacity for MEAL is crucial to avoid failed pilots and ensure interventions are data-driven and sustainable.

For digital transformation to be sustainable, governments must enact enabling policies and financing frameworks. This entails having national digital education strategies that are embedded in education sector plans, and promoting blended financing models using domestic budgets, donor grants, and private sector contributions. Long-term infrastructure maintenance and capacity-building programs are also key.

Aligning digital programs with national priorities ensures that interventions are not only impactful but also scalable and resilient.

Risks and Challenges: Where Are the Misses?

Despite progress, several persistent risks threaten to stall or reverse digital gains if not strategically mitigated. The table below provides examples of such risks, the challenge they bring and proposed mitigation measures.

In conclusion, while digital technology and evidence-based approaches hold immense promise, they must be guided by inclusive design, equitable access, and robust accountability systems. This sub-theme will highlight successful practices, expose gaps, and propose actionable solutions for bringing every learner on board – ensuring digital transformation delivers learning for all.