Mastercard and MEST Africa Unveil EdTech Fellowship with 12 Promising Startups

By Mfidie Last updated May 13, 2024

On Thursday, May 9th, in Accra, Ghana, the Mastercard Foundation in collaboration with MEST Africa officially kicked off their EdTech Fellowship program. The initiative has selected twelve promising startups aimed at transforming educational technology across Africa.

Launch Event Highlights

The event was graced by the presence of key figures including Ghana’s Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, who not only discussed the strides being made in Ghana’s education sector but also formally launched the fellowship. Angela Duho, the Program Manager at MEST Africa, shared her excitement about the potential of the chosen companies to revolutionize the educational landscape.

Joseph Nsengimana, Director of the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, commented on the partnership’s goals, “Through our collaboration with MEST Africa, we aim to enhance access to high-quality, relevant education for underserved learners in Ghana and Africa by leveraging locally developed tech solutions.” In 2023, their programs successfully reached over 2.6 million learners across South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.

The 2023 EdTech Fellowship Cohorts

Overview of Selected Startups

DeafcanTalk: Tailors assistive technologies for Deaf students to foster inclusive education by eliminating communication barriers.
Coral Reef: Prepares students for the future workforce integrating AI, content creation, and EdTech services.
eCampus: An online platform enhancing learning through tech-driven solutions aimed at global scalability.
Inspiring Teachers: A nonprofit dedicated to boosting learning outcomes in Ghana through expert teacher training and program development.
Firefly IO: Innovates in STEAM and Robotics education to nurture creativity and problem-solving skills among students.
PerbiCubs: Addresses reading challenges among Ghanaian children with captivating digital tools.
Q Know Edtech: Makes quality education accessible through personalized tutoring and robust learning resources.
Alpha Virtual Academy: Provides comprehensive digital learning tools for K-9 schools in Ghana, enhancing educational quality and accessibility.
Wonderspaced: Creates educational content for primary students and educators, focusing on critical thinking and interactive learning.
Ayaprep: An educational app teaching mathematics in local Ghanaian languages to boost inclusivity.
Loozeele Academy: Offers STEM-focused education for early childhood in the Upper East region, making high-quality education affordable.
Dext Technology: Develops innovative, user-friendly tools for effective STEM education.

Panel Insights

A panel session, moderated by Bernard Avle, host of the CitiFM Morning Show, discussed various aspects of education in Ghana. Panelists examined the challenges faced by EdTech startups in scaling their operations and the existing policies that support the growing EdTech ecosystem.

The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, facilitated by MEST Africa, is set to make significant strides in educational technology in Africa. By supporting these twelve startups, the program aims to foster innovation and create impactful educational solutions tailored to the needs of African learners.