Six African innovators are deploying artificial intelligence to improve access to tutoring, curriculum-based learning, scholarship information and digital skills training across the continent.
Their initiatives address challenges ranging from limited access to academic support and unreliable internet connectivity to difficulties finding education funding and preparing for a changing workplace.
South African entrepreneur Dacod Magagula, co-founder of FoondaMate, is helping students access study support through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Messenger.
The AI-enabled assistant allows learners to ask academic questions and receive explanations, bringing educational support to communication platforms they already use.
Another initiative, Rori, is an AI-powered mathematics tutor developed through Rising Academies, where education technology leader Shabnam Aggarwal has helped advance the project.
Delivered through WhatsApp, Rori provides mathematics practice, guided explanations and feedback to support classroom learning.
An eight-month evaluation involving approximately 1,000 students across 11 schools in Ghana reportedly found that learners who used Rori for two 30-minute sessions weekly alongside regular lessons recorded stronger mathematics performance than those in the control group.
In Nigeria, Ahmed Ogundimu is developing the work of NGScholars, a platform established in 2013 to provide information on admissions, scholarships, examinations and other academic opportunities.
Through AI-assisted tools and improved information management, the platform seeks to help students discover relevant opportunities and navigate application processes more efficiently.
Kenya-based entrepreneur Claire Mongeau is addressing access barriers through M-Shule, an adaptive learning platform that delivers educational content by SMS.
The platform personalises learning materials according to students’ responses and progress. Its delivery model allows learners with basic mobile phones to participate without relying on smartphones or continuous internet access.
Nigerian entrepreneur Isaac Oladipupo, co-founder of Afrilearn, is focusing on curriculum-based digital education.
The platform combines video lessons, class notes, examination preparation, practice exercises and AI-assisted learning tools. Afrilearn reports reaching more than four million learners.
Its resources are designed to support students studying African curricula, with different learning formats offering alternative ways to understand subjects and prepare for examinations.
Adewale Yusuf, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of AltSchool Africa, is concentrating on preparation for an economy increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.
Through the AI for 10M Africans initiative, Yusuf is seeking to expand practical understanding of AI, including how to apply its tools to everyday tasks and recognise the limitations of machine-generated information.
Together, the initiatives show how African education technology developers are adapting AI to different needs, from school-level mathematics and examination preparation to academic guidance and professional development.
Their approaches also reflect differences in access to devices and connectivity, with WhatsApp and SMS providing alternatives to platforms that require more expensive equipment or reliable broadband.
However, the use of AI in education raises questions about accuracy, data privacy and equitable access. Independent assessment of learning outcomes remains important in determining whether the tools improve students’ understanding and performance.
The initiatives offer additional support for learners, while teachers remain central to instruction, guidance and the development of critical thinking.
