Tuesday, December 3

MEST Africa, Mastercard Foundation Celebrate 2024 EdTech Fellows at Demo Day

MEST Africa, in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation, has hosted the 2024 EdTech Fellowship Demo Day to showcase the achievements of fellows and their transformative innovations in education technology.

The event, held at the Marriott Hotel in Accra, spotlighted the innovative solutions designed to redefine education in Ghana and beyond. 

The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship supports African EdTech companies with critical business and financial resources, along with insights into the science of learning, preparing them for scale and sustainability.

Speaking at the event, Mr Suraj Shah, Acting Head of Strategic Partnerships and Thought Leadership at the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, emphasised the importance of empowering African EdTech entrepreneurs. 

He called for stronger collaboration among governments, the EdTech community, educators, and learners to ensure innovations thrive through effective policy support.

Mr Rodwell Mangisi, Acting Director of the Mastercard Foundation Centre, highlighted the Foundation’s commitment to demand-driven EdTech solutions addressing gaps in access and quality education for underserved populations. 

He noted that since the Fellowship’s inception in 2020, 140 EdTech companies had been accelerated, with a goal to create 30 million work opportunities for African youth by 2030.

“Education is central to breaking the poverty cycle,” Mr. Mangisi stated, adding that partnerships like those with MEST Africa provide a platform for scaling impactful solutions.

Nana Baffour-Awuah, Director for Pre-Tertiary Education at Ghana’s Ministry of Education, praised the initiative, noting that integrating technology into education was a top priority for the Ministry.

“This is not just about providing computers. It’s about strategically integrating technology to bridge the digital divide, improve teacher training, and align digital content with the national curriculum,” he said.

The Ministry, he added, was actively working on policies to foster the growth of EdTech solutions in Ghana.

The event featured fireside chats with select fellows, including DextTechnology Limited, Perbi Clubs, and Firefly IO, who shared their journeys, challenges, and successes in developing scalable solutions. 

Other notable fellows included Inspiring Teachers Ghana, LoozeeleExcellence Academy, Ayaprep, and DeafCanTalk.

Video montages highlighted fellows’ creative problem-solving efforts, demonstrating their impact on learners, educators, and communities through technology-driven innovations.

MEST Africa used the occasion to announce applications for the second cohort of the EdTech Fellowship programme, encouraging passionate African entrepreneurs to apply.

Mr. Olufemi Adewumi, Programmes Director at MEST Africa, expressed optimism about the programme’s potential to transform education in Ghana over the next five years.

“The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship programme aims to make systematic changes in education, and we are excited to see its impact unfold,” he concluded, thanking all partners involved.

The Demo Day not only celebrated the achievements of the fellows but also underscored the transformative potential of technology in addressing Africa’s educational challenges.

Source: GNA


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