Technology is reshaping education across Africa, making quality learning more accessible, engaging, and effective. From AI-driven career guidance to digital learning hubs and blockchain-powered scholarships, EdTech is bridging educational gaps and equipping students with the skills needed to succeed in the modern economy.
The EdTech Award at Africa Tech Summit celebrates solutions that are revolutionising learning, empowering students, and driving digital inclusion across the continent.
Meet the Finalists
Cassava Technologies (South Africa): Bridging the digital divide, Cassava Technologies, in partnership with Liquid Intelligent Technologies, UNICEF, and ITU, is connecting schools across Africa to the internet. Their School Broadband Mapping Project has already mapped 250,000 schools and connected 5,000 institutions, enabling better learning opportunities, administrative efficiency, and parental engagement through reliable internet access.
DirectEd Development (Kenya): Tackling the global tech talent gap, DirectEd Development is training Africa’s brightest students with world-class software development skills. Through a 70% apprenticeship-based curriculum, students gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and access to Western tech firms, helping them increase their income potential by 20xand secure international job opportunities.
Hermplify (Nigeria): Dedicated to empowering 200 million underserved women and girls, Hermplify is bridging education and financial inclusion through an AI-powered platform. By providing mentorship, funding, and business tools, Hermplify helps women entrepreneurs overcome barriers, access resources, and build sustainable businesses—fostering a future of financial independence and economic empowerment.
Ikusasa Technology Solutions (South Africa): Championing inclusive education, Ikusasa Technology Solutions is digitizing vocational training through its SMART TVET initiative. By equipping learning hubs with digital tools, cloud-based platforms, and IT certifications, the company is preparing students for the digital economy, ensuring that youth from underserved communities can access globally recognized skills.
Laboussole (Cameroon): Education and career planning can be a challenge, but Laboussole is making it easier. This web and mobile platform uses AI-driven recommendations, virtual mentorship, and online training to help students and job seekers find the right academic and professional pathways. By making career guidance more accessible, Laboussole is closing the education-to-employment gap in Africa.
Why this Matters
Education is the foundation of economic growth and innovation, and these finalists are reshaping how students learn, upskill, and prepare for the future. Whether through digital infrastructure, AI-driven career support, or tech-enabled vocational training, these solutions are ensuring that education in Africa is more inclusive, practical, and future-proof.
