On August 28 and 29, ADEA joined leading voices across Africa and beyond for the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning EdTech Convening, held in Nairobi, Kenya, to explore how technology can drive meaningful, inclusive change in education systems. The two-day event brought together innovators and partners to reflect on progress, share lessons, and chart a path for collaborative action in EdTech.

A key highlight of the convening was a fireside chat on Data-Driven Decision-Making, featuring Inyang Udo-Umoren, Project Manager on ADEA’s Tackling Education and Skills Data Challenge initiative, alongside representatives from the World Bank. The chat, moderated by Wariko Waita, Director of Public Affairs and Communications – Education and Transitions at the Mastercard Foundation, examined the critical role of data in shaping effective and inclusive EdTech strategies.

Inyang shared findings from ADEA’s ongoing needs assessment on education and skills data ecosystems across Africa. She highlighted persistent gaps in institutional capacity, infrastructure, policy coherence, and governance frameworks that hinder data-informed planning and scale-up. The panel discussion equally explored:

• Insights from the World Bank’s EdTech Readiness Index report, which revealed wide-ranging readiness levels across African countries, for EdTech uptake, including a notable policy-to-practice gap.
• Opportunities for collaboration with tech hubs to develop interoperable solutions aligned with national priorities and curricula.
• The need to strengthen sub-national capacity in data literacy and digital implementation.
• The role of accountability mechanisms in translating policies into measurable  outcomes.

In her remarks to open the convening, the Executive Director, Education and Transitions at the Mastercard Foundation, Tina Muparadzi, reminded participants that technology is only meaningful if it leads to real, inclusive outcomes. She highlighted that the Foundation’s work, through its EdTech programmes and partners, has already helped millions of young persons and women transition into work, while partners like the World Bank and ADEA are supporting policy shifts and data-driven strategies to deepen this impact. Yet, she argued that the road ahead demands more innovation and coordination.

"How can technology truly change our education ecosystems?” She asked. “And how do we, as partners, go further together?"

The convening emphasized human-centered design—especially when it comes to reaching young women and persons with diasabilities. To shift the status quo, the call was clear: Design with empathy. Design with intention, and ensure women’s representation at every step—from ideation to implementation. The session also reinforced a shared commitment: that technology is not just a tool—it is a foundation for equity, accountability, and systemic transformation in education systems.