The Ministerial Round Table
A high-level, inter-governmental meeting on digital education, training and skills development, taking place in conjunction with the annual eLearning Africa conference.
For the past 20 years, eLearning Africa has convened the Ministerial Round Table alongside eLearning Africa to provide an open platform to discuss challenges and exchange knowledge about leveraging technology for education, training and skills development.
The goal of the meeting is to facilitate open dialogue and generate practical recommendations that will have real-world impact on policy drafting and implementation.
Please note that participation at the Ministerial Round Table is by invitation only.
2027
The 19th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table will take place in Lomé, Republic of Togo, on 26 May 2027.
Building on the outcomes of the Accra Communiqué, ministers and senior government representatives will explore how Africa can strengthen its knowledge economy through investment in human capital, skills, innovation and education, ensuring that learning translates into greater prosperity, resilience and long-term competitiveness.
Previous Editions: Communiqués & Resources
2026
The 18th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table took place in Accra, Ghana, on 3 June 2026 under the theme “Championing Sovereign, Innovative and United Learning Systems: Empowering Africa on Its Own Terms.”
As Africa continues to navigate rapid technological change, shifting geopolitical dynamics and accelerating digital transformation, the Round Table provided a high-level forum for ministers and senior government representatives to consider how the continent can shape its own digital future. Building on the overarching eLearning Africa theme, “Africa’s Time, Africa’s Terms: Learning for Sovereignty, Strength and Solidarity,” the discussions focused on the policies, investments and partnerships needed to strengthen Africa’s capacity to lead its own educational and technological development.
Ministers and government representatives explored how African countries can strengthen AI readiness, build secure and affordable digital infrastructure, safeguard data sovereignty, develop the skills and innovation ecosystems needed for sustainable growth, and deepen continental cooperation. Particular attention was given to sustainable financing for digital learning, the importance of foundational learning and teacher development, the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence, and the need for stronger regional collaboration to ensure that digital transformation serves Africa’s long-term priorities.
The Round Table reaffirmed a shared commitment to ensuring that Africa’s digital transformation in education is inclusive, sustainable and firmly grounded in African priorities, capabilities and leadership. Participants emphasised that technological sovereignty requires not only access to technology, but also investment in local capacity, governance frameworks, innovation and cooperation that enable African countries to shape and benefit from their own digital futures.
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table in english and french.
MRT Partners were:
2025
The 17th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on May 7, 2025 alongside the eLearning Africa Conference and adressed the overall theme with a particular focus on “Reimagining Human Capital Development in Africa: Developing Skills for the Digital Workplace, Building AI Readiness for Africa and the Centrality of Data.”
The Ministerial Roundtable brought together a diverse range of expertise and examples of good practice from Africa and beyond. The presentations and discussions were stimulating, and engaged all the participants. The outputs from this very dynamic and thought-provoking Ministerial Roundtable, included recognising the importance of African generated data, in African languages, to inform an Afro-centric approach to AI, which addresses Africa’s needs, while enabling Africa to contribute to global issues. In order to achieve this, we need a focus on developing skills at all levels, and work collaboratively across countries and with regional and continental bodies.
The Chair, Dr Aida Opoku-Mensah noted seven principles and action points from this Ministerial Roundtable that participants should focus on, in taking forward the lessons of this Ministerial Roundtable:
- Expand connectivity infrastructure
- Promote regional, and continental, alignment in AI strategies
- Integrate global benchmarks into national planning and monitoring
- Integrate data skills into national education agendas
- Policies are needed for AI readiness - with coherent national approaches
- Strengthen public private academia partnerships - universities are crucial in this work
- Support innovation ecosystems to promote local knowledge and innovation.
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table in english, portuguese and french.
MRT Partners were:
2024
The 16th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table took place in Kigali, Rwanda on May 29, 2024 alongside the eLearning Africa Conference and adressed the overall theme with a particular focus on “Digital Education, Skills and Human Capital: from Learning to Earning.”
The African Union's "Agenda 2063" envisions a developed Africa playing a pivotal global role by the second half of the century. Africa's rising political and economic significance is evident, yet challenges persist, including regional instability and climate change impacts. While Africa holds advantages like a growing population and valuable resources, it must also look to rapidly developing its human resources.
Addressing challenges will occur not only at the national level but also at the local and and regional levels. The African Union and regional bodies will play key roles in Agenda 2063's execution. Success hinges on a well-educated population with a grasp of digital advancements in addressing climate change, the 4IR and a growing population. Effective leadership is vital in conveying a prosperous and sustainable vision. The evolving global work landscape calls for a skilled African workforce that can not only develop Africa, but also contribute to global development through remote work and migration. This demands innovative education approaches, from inclusive and personalized learning post-primary school to stackable credentials with global recognition.
Measuring educational outcomes, impact; and focusing on transferable skills over content adaptation are crucial amid a rapidly changing global context. Artificial Intelligence can improve education, foster inclusion, and lower per capita costs, but it also has drawbacks such as high introduction costs, and lack of creativity. It poses risks and challenges that will need policy and regulation.
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table in english and french.
MRT Partners were:
2023
The 15th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table took place in Dakar, Senegal on May 25, 2023. Participants included Ministers and Representatives from more than 17 African countries. Presentations by Ministers, global EdTech businesses and non-profit organisations working in Africa, addressed issues facing governments, development partners, and EdTech companies and organisations. These include scaling up technology supported education to meet the demands of Agenda 2063 for a skilled and well educated population; and the development of stable, educated and productive societies committed to global sustainable development.
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table in english and french.
MRT Partners were:
2022
The 14th Ministerial Round Table took place in Kigali, Rwanda on May 11, 2022 and addressed the theme: "Getting Back on Track - Practical Steps towards 2063": A decade ago, in its Agenda 2063, the AU set out its vision of a 'transformed continent' and the various aspirations it had for improvements in the quality of life of ordinary Africans. Since then, Africa and the rest of the world have had to contend with a devastating pandemic. It has interrupted progress and upset plans. It has also created new opportunities. As Africa begins a process of greater integration with the creation of ACFTA, African leaders still face the challenge of rapid technological change and growing, increasingly urban populations. How can they move beyond the pandemic, learn its lessons and get back on track towards 2063?
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table in english and french.
MRT Partners were:
2021
This 13th Ministerial Round Table took place virtually on November 3, 2021 and addressed the theme 'Using Skills-Based Online and Blended Learning to Put Higher Education at the Heart of Your Plan for Economic Growth'.
The coronavirus pandemic has slowed global economic growth and brought some economies to a virtual standstill. At the same time, however, education has been transformed and a new age of opportunity has begun. Modern students, academics and employers increasingly appreciate the benefits of online learning for knowledge transfer and the acquisition of key skills. But how can technology and the use of more blended learning enable higher education to play the leading role in transforming your country's economic prospects? And how can it help a new generation of learners with the skills they'll need to build a thriving economy? The Ministerial Round Table will examine prospects, perspectives and plans for using online and blended learning to maximise Africa's higher education sector.
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table here.
MRT Partners were:
2019
The 12th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table took place in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire on October 23rd, 2019 on the theme 'The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): Learning, Training, Skills and Investment'. Participants, who included representatives of both African Governments and international organisations, discussed steps that might be taken towards uniting the continent in what could eventually be the world's biggest single market, and creating the right environment for this to happen. The Round Table produced a set of recommendations designed to help Africa prepare itself for the development of an African Continental Free Trade Area.
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table in english and french.
2018
The 11th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table took place in Kigali, Rwanda on the 26th September 2018 on the theme 'Towards a Knowledge-Based Economy'. The MRT was attended by ICT and Education Ministers from 14 African countries (Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo Brazzaville, Djibouti, Ghana, Gambia, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda) together with invited guests from international organisations.
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table in english and french.
2017
The 10th eLearning Africa Ministerial Round Table took place in Balaclava, Mauritius on the 27th September 2017 on the theme “Meeting the Sustainable Development Goals for Education - How eLearning and Digitalisation can Support Inclusivity, Boost Training and Encourage Skills Development.” The MRT was attended by ICT and Education Ministers from 17 African countries including Cameroon, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritius, Namibia, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe, together with representatives of leading companies and educational institutions.
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table here.
2016
In 2016, the 9th edition brought together Ministers of Education and ICT from across the continent to focus on African visions and national plans for change and the role of ICT-enhanced learning and training in them. The discussions gave participants both an idea of the scope, scale and variety of change underway in Africa, as well as an understanding of key factors in successful implementation strategies.
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table in english and in french.
2013
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table in english, in french. and in portuguese.
2012
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table here.
2011
You can find the Communiqué of the Ministerial Round Table here.
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““Honoured to have moderated the 18th Ministerial Round Table at eLearning Africa 2026 in Accra, Ghana. An impressive number of African ministers were in attendance from all corners of the continent!“"
““We value eLearning Africa’s power of convening. The conference created the space needed to bring together governments, innovators, researchers, funders and development partners around concrete opportunities for collaboration.”"
““The outcomes exceeded our expectations and will enable us to make further progress in our sector.”"
““The event is essential for us. It allows us to share ideas and messages with an influential and pan-African group of policy makers and experts working at the intersection of technology and education.”"
“"These are the kinds of connections that make conferences truly worthwhile... lasting relationships and shared purpose often create the greatest impact.""
““The conference provided an excellent platform for sharing experiences, exploring partnerships and advancing discussions on education, training and digital transformation.”"