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In a world marked by rapid technological change, shifting global alliances and growing competition for markets, resources and influence, Africa is facing a defining moment.
The question is no longer whether the continent will rise, but who will shape that rise and on what terms.
This conversation will take centre stage from June 3 to 5, 2026, when more than 1,000 participants from over 80 countries, including ministers, policymakers, educators, innovators, business leaders and development partners, will gather in Accra for eLearning Africa 2026.
The conference will provide a platform to explore how digital technology can improve learning, strengthen education systems and promote inclusive growth.
As the global knowledge economy evolves, technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data and digital platforms are reshaping how people learn, work and interact.
Yet many of the decisions that influence these technologies, ranging from data governance to algorithm design, are often made outside the continent.
This raises important questions about Africa’s preparedness and its place in the global digital landscape.
Without stronger participation in shaping these systems, Africa risks becoming a consumer rather than a creator of digital knowledge and innovation.
The conference, hosted by Ghana’s Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, in collaboration with fellow African ministers, will provide a platform to address these issues.
The theme of the Accra conference, “Africa’s time, Africa’s terms: Learning for sovereignty, strength and solidarity”, reflects a growing call for African countries to take a leading role in shaping their own technological and educational futures.
Central to this vision is digital learning. Across the continent, education systems are increasingly integrating technology into classrooms, training programmes and universities.
However, experts emphasise that the challenge is not simply adopting digital tools, but ensuring that these systems reflect African realities, languages and priorities.
Education must therefore move beyond replicating external models and instead develop approaches rooted in local cultures, knowledge systems and community needs.
Africa’s youth will be at the heart of the conversation. With one of the youngest populations in the world, the continent’s future will depend largely on how effectively it prepares young people for leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship.
This requires education systems that empower learners not only to acquire knowledge but also to create it – systems that encourage experimentation, critical thinking and innovation.
Investments in African languages, cultural heritage and storytelling are also expected to feature prominently in discussions on digital learning.
Participants will explore how educational technologies can help preserve identity while enabling learners to engage with the global knowledge economy.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will be another major focus. As AI technologies expand across sectors, from health care and agriculture to finance and education, there is growing concern that systems developed elsewhere may not adequately reflect African realities.
If AI tools are trained primarily in data from other regions, they may unintentionally reproduce biases or overlook African contexts.
For this reason, experts emphasise the importance of building local capacity in AI research and development, supporting African-led innovation, and strengthening the continent’s role in global discussions on data governance and digital ethics.
Developing ethical AI systems rooted in African values and experiences is increasingly seen as essential to protecting digital sovereignty.
Speaking on the importance of strengthening Africa’s education systems for the digital era, Mr Iddrisu, emphasised the need for African countries to lead the transformation of learning on the continent.
“Africa’s development in the 21st century will depend on how boldly we invest in knowledge, technology and our young people. “
“Education must empower our youth not only to participate in the digital economy, but to shape it, innovate within it and ensure that it reflects African realities and values,” he said.
The conference will also examine how education can support broader economic transformation.
As African economies move towards digitalisation and green growth, demand is rising for skills such as digital literacy, data analysis, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture.
Particular attention will be given to Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), apprenticeships and workplace learning.
Entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems will also be explored as pathways for job creation and economic growth, with youth-led start-ups and innovation hubs already demonstrating the continent’s potential.
However, unlocking this potential will require stronger support systems, including access to training, finance and digital infrastructure.
Infrastructure and access remain critical challenges.
While Internet connectivity has expanded significantly in many African countries, millions of learners still lack reliable access to devices, broadband services and locally relevant digital content.
Bridging this digital divide will require sustained investment in connectivity, community networks and affordable technologies.
Inclusion will also be a priority.
Ensuring that girls, learners with disabilities and young people in remote communities benefit from digital learning opportunities will be essential to building equitable education systems.
The goal, experts emphasise, must be to ensure that no learner is left behind.
For many observers, the choice of Accra as the host city is highly symbolic.
The city has long been associated with Pan-African thought and the intellectual movements that shaped the continent’s independence.
Hosting the conference reinforces the idea that Africa’s future should be defined not only by technological progress, but also by the values of solidarity, self-determination and collective advancement.
Ultimately, the central question facing participants will be how Africa can build learning systems that support not only economic development, but also sovereignty and long-term resilience in a rapidly evolving digital age.
