Ericsson has called on African governments to lead in developing policies that prioritize internet access and digital learning as tech giants expand their #AfricaInMotion strategy
Ayub Osman, Head of Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility for Ericsson Middle East and Africa, emphasized the need for government and private sector collaboration to build digital infrastructure and ensure school connectivity.
Osman highlighted the essential role of productive partnerships between governments and technology providers to implement robust digital infrastructure and support access to digital education. He underscored Ericsson’s involvement in the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) GIGA initiative, a global effort to connect schools to the internet that launched in 2019 with three main pillars: mapping, modeling, and contracting.
The GIGA initiative, which began connecting schools worldwide, has now spread across Africa, including countries like Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, and Nigeria. In Kenya, Ericsson is collaborating with UNICEF and GIGA to support the National Broadband Strategy, aiming to connect all schools by 2030.
“We recognize that mapping the connectivity landscape is a critical first step towards connecting every school to the internet and providing each child with access to learning opportunities,” Osman shared. Ericsson’s contributions include the development of Daily Check, an app supporting GIGA by collecting, analyzing, and visualizing real-time data on school connectivity.
The initiative has achieved significant milestones in Kenya, connecting 546 public schools by the end of 2023, impacting over 340,000 students and educators. “For students, the internet can offer access to learning materials and resources beyond geographical limitations,” Osman noted. “For teachers, it provides access to assessment tools and a wealth of resources to aid lesson planning and innovation in teaching.”
Osman also pointed to the critical need for affordable, reliable internet access as African countries work toward universal connectivity. He stressed that governments must prioritize digital learning and collaborate with private sectors, such as communication service providers, to bridge the digital divide and accelerate school connectivity.
Ericsson’s #AfricaInMotion initiative and its work with GIGA underscore the potential for digital inclusion to transform education, offering millions of African students enhanced learning opportunities and laying a foundation for a digitally inclusive future across the continent.
