By Aoma Keziah
The 3rd Kenya EdTech Summit officially kicked off in Nairobi, marking a significant milestone as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of EdTech East Africa’s groundbreaking work in the education technology sector. Supported by the Mastercard Foundation and EdTech Hub, the summit has drawn innovators, educators, policymakers, and tech enthusiasts from across the country to explore the future of technology-enabled teaching and learning in Kenya.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Francis Karanja, Deputy Director of Education In Charge of ICT in Education (ICT4E) representing Dr. Belio Kipsang, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Education and chairperson of the Education and Assessments Management Committee, said that the government of Kenya recognizes the transformative potential of education technology in shaping the future of our youth and our nation.
“ We are committed to supporting organizations like EdTech East Africa that are driving innovation in education, ensuring that every learner, regardless of their background, has access to the tools and skills they need to thrive in the digital age ” said Karanja
EdTech East Africa, co-founder and CEO Jennifer Otieno stated that over the last 10 years, she can’t help but smile and feel grateful for this incredible community.
“In the beginning, our community began as a place to learn, a place to connect and a place to share the demanding yet energizing journey of EdTech entrepreneurship. What began over drinks and laughs, grew to trusted bonds and shared visions for a stronger, more connected, more vibrant community. Since 2014, we have supported over 5000 people to gather in over 60 gatherings , creating spaces for edtech innovators and enablers to learn, share and collaborate,” noted Ms. Otieno.
Suraj Shah, Lead, Mastercard Foundation Regional Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning Noted,
“Our partnership with EdTech East Africa reflects our dedication to enabling young people to access dignified work through education and skills development. This summit is an opportunity to advance scalable, sustainable solutions that effect meaningful change in the lives of Africa’s youth,” he said
Over the past ten years, EdTech East Africa has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing education through technology, impacting various ecosystem players, including learners and educators. Key milestones that were highlighted at the summit include the introduction of digital learning platforms that broaden access to quality education, the integration of AI-driven tools for personalized learning experiences, and the development of mobile applications that extend educational resources to remote communities.
This national summit serves as the culmination of a series of regional gatherings held earlier this year, including the Western Kenya EdTech Summit in Homa Bay County, the Pwani EdTech Summit in Mombasa County, and the Frontier Counties EdTech Summit in Garissa County. Each of these regional events provided valuable insights that have enriched discussions in Nairobi, contributing to a national dialogue on the role of EdTech in improving educational outcomes across the country.
As participants celebrate a decade of change, the focus is on reflecting on the lessons learned from the past ten years while pushing for innovations that will drive the next phase of educational transformation. Key topics at the summit include the integration of digital tools in classrooms, expanding access to quality education through technology, and leveraging data to enhance learning experiences.
The Kenya EdTech Summit 2024 aims to not only recognize the strides made in the EdTech space but also to foster collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that technology remains a powerful tool for improving learning in every corner of the country.
