Mwanga wa Elimu Light the Way: Join Africa's EdTech Revolution!

A2: Mwanga wa Elimu Light the Way: Join Africa's EdTech Revolution! Schedule: 9:30 – 13:30 Event Leader: Organised by Mwanga wa Elimu Secretariat Description: Africa has a bold, continent-wide plan to transform education for 200 million learners by 2030. This workshop marks a historic milestone: the public opening of the movement committed to delivering it. Mwanga wa Elimu (Light of Education) is the growing coalition of African policymakers, EdTech developers, educators, researchers and funders united behind the AUDA-NEPAD 's African EdTech 2030 Vision & Plan. Our shared goal is a single, interoperable, African-owned education technology ecosystem that reaches every learner on the continent. At this workshop, led by AUDA-NEPAD and the movement's Founding Luminaries, no prior policy expertise is required. What matters is a commitment to African learners and a willingness to act! Through first-hand stories from those already building this future, accessible exploration of the critical challenges facing African EdTech today, and a facilitated discovery of where your own skills and role fit within the ecosystem, you will leave with new cross-border connections, a clear sense of purpose within the movement, and a concrete commitment of your own. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to formally join as a Luminary, one of the growing community of leaders shaping the future of African education. Agenda: 14:00 – 14:10 | Opening and framing the moment 14:10 – 14:17 | Human Story: why this matters Ground the session in a relatable African learner or teacher story to connect emotionally before introducing policy or frameworks. 14:17 – 14:25 | Understanding the Vision Present the Africa EdTech 2030 Vision & Plan in plain language, focusing on what it means in practice, not technical detail. 14:25 – 14:45 | Interactive Exercise 1: Your role in the ecosystem Participants identify their role (policymaker, developer, educator, funder, researcher). Quick paired discussion: What does this Vision mean for your role? 14:45 – 14:55 | Report back and synthesis (Exercise 1) Groups share key insights and common themes are highlighted. 14:55 - 15:05 | Coffee break 15:05 – 15:25 | Interactive Exercise 2: What is holding us back? Small group or open discussion: What are the biggest barriers to scaling EdTech in your context? Capture 3–4 key themes from the room. 15:25 – 15:35 | Report back and synthesis (Exercise 2) Capture key barriers and emerging solutions from the room. 15:35 – 15:45 | Voices from the ecosystem Two short reflections from Founding Luminaries focused on real experience, not speeches. 15:45 – 15:55 | Introducing Mwanga wa Elimu (The Movement) Explain what the movement is, how it works, and why participation matters. 15:55 – 16:03 | The pledge and commitment Explain the pledge and what participants are committing to, linking to concrete actions. 16:03 – 16:18 | Live pledge moment Participants take the pledge, live counter displayed, moment of recognition and energy. 16:18 – 16:30 | Closing and next steps   Target Audience(s): Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and senior officials from African Ministries of Education and ICT EdTech app developers, startup founders, and CTOs Education funders, and programme officers from development organisations Teachers, TVET Specialists  Students! Target Sector(s): Education Expected Outcomes: Understand: Every participant can explain what Mwanga wa Elimu is, why it exists, and what the AUDA-NEPAD African EdTech 2030 Vision means for African learners (in plain language, without notes). Own: Every participant knows which of the five ecosystem roles (Policymaker, Developer, Educator, Funder, Researcher) applies to them, pledges to the movement and can name one concrete action they will take within the next six months. Amplify:  Every participant leaves with a named individual in their professional network they have committed to personally invite to take the pledge, extending the movement's reach beyond the room. Fee: 0 EUR Click here to register for the workshop and the conference