Ericsson’s #AfricaInMotion strategy is advancing digital inclusion across Africa, urging governments to take an active role in supporting internet access and digital learning. Ayub Osman, Ericsson’s head of sustainability and corporate responsibility for the Middle East and Africa, emphasized the critical need for collaboration between governments, communication service providers, and technology companies to drive these objectives.
In an interview with ITWeb Africa, Osman shared how Ericsson, alongside its global partners, is actively supporting the International Telecommunication Union’s GIGA initiative, which launched in 2019 with the ambitious goal of connecting every school worldwide. The initiative’s approach includes mapping school locations, modeling infrastructure needs, and helping governments procure connectivity solutions that will sustain this mission.
As part of this effort, Ericsson is working with UNICEF and GIGA to promote Kenya’s National Broadband Strategy, aiming to connect all Kenyan schools by 2030. By the end of 2023, the collaboration had achieved significant progress, bringing internet connectivity to 546 public schools in Kenya, impacting over 340,000 students and educators with new digital learning opportunities.
Ericsson’s technological expertise has also led to the development of “Daily Check,” an app that aids the GIGA initiative by monitoring school connectivity data in real time. Osman emphasized that mapping connectivity gaps is the first step in ensuring every child gains internet access, a resource that can transform education through accessible learning material and resources.
The benefits of digital connectivity for students and teachers are expansive. With internet access, students have a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips, while teachers can utilize digital assessment tools and resources to enhance lesson planning and delivery. Internet access empowers policymakers with data-driven insights, enabling them to evaluate and refine education strategies effectively.
To make digital learning accessible, Osman stressed that governments must make connectivity reliable and affordable, aligning internet access with education policies. He called for strong partnerships between the public and private sectors to overcome integration barriers and build the necessary infrastructure to connect Africa’s schools and drive meaningful educational transformation across the continent.
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