Addis ababa: The African Union Commission (AUC) has urged African nations to fundamentally transform their education systems through digital innovation. Speaking at the opening of the Innovating Education in Africa Expo 2026 in Addis Ababa, AU Commissioner for Education, Science, Technology and Innovation (ESTI), Prof. Gaspard Banyankimbona, emphasized that technology should reshape the entire learning ecosystem, rather than merely introducing computers into classrooms.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the two-day Expo, themed "Accelerating the Digital Transformation of Education: Scaling Innovative Solutions for the AU Decade of Education and Skills 2025-2035," gathered ministers, educators, researchers, development partners, investors, innovators, and youth representatives from over 20 African and international countries. The event aims to promote scalable, African-led digital education solutions under the African Union's Decade of Accelerated Action for the Transformation of Education and Skills Development.
Addressing the participants, Banyankimbona called for enhanced continental collaboration to modernize education systems and better prepare Africa's growing youth population for the future. He stressed that digital transformation should extend beyond the mere presence of computers and tablets in classrooms, fundamentally altering how teaching, learning, research, and labor markets operate.
The commissioner highlighted the necessity for education systems to embrace digital inclusion while aligning learning with the evolving demands of labor markets through improved labor market intelligence. Equipping young Africans with digital skills, creativity, and confidence while preserving their cultural identity will, according to Banyankimbona, position the continent as a global innovation leader.
Sophia Ashipala, Head of the African Union's Education Division, described the Expo as "a celebration of Africa's imagination," underscoring the achievements of the Innovating Education in Africa initiative since its 2018 inception. The initiative has received over 12,700 innovation submissions, identified 180 promising projects, provided acceleration grants of up to 100,000 U.S. dollars to 41 initiatives, and reached more than one million people across the continent.
Claude Landry, Head of Cooperation, Pan-African and Regional Development Program at the Canada Mission to the AU, praised African innovators for expanding access to quality education, particularly in underserved communities. He also highlighted Canada's recent 10 million U.S. dollar contribution to support education and TVET across Africa and urged greater efforts to transition from pilot projects to scaled solutions.
Organizers noted that discussions at the Expo focused on accelerating practical implementation of digital education initiatives. The Expo is anticipated to strengthen cross-sector partnerships and align education reforms with the African Union's Agenda 2063 to enhance competitiveness, productivity, and youth mobility across the continent. Delegates identified teacher training, affordable internet access, and the development of culturally relevant digital learning materials as immediate priorities, while international partners reaffirmed their long-term commitment to supporting Africa's education transformation.