The Pan-African education-and-technology community from 70+ countries will attend three days of diverse sessions. Formats include networking “meetups”, knowledge factories, and discovery meetups. Solutions to critical issues such as access to learning and vocational training; equality and quality in education; skills and employability; health, agriculture, literacy, and governance will be deliberated.

"Development is about changing power relations, and the connectivity and digitalisation of Africa offer huge potential to do this from the grassroots up," explained Rebecca Stromeyer, CEO of Berlin’s ICWE, the event’s organizer. "One of the sustainable development goals outlined by the UN is to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong-learning opportunities for all. eLearning Africa is committed to supporting this effort with the biggest Pan-African knowledge-sharing event for technology-enhanced education and training."

Speakers announced so far include Salah-Eddine Kandri, Global Head of Education at the International Finance Corporation (IFC - World Bank Group) and Mohammad Santally, Associate Professor and Officer in Charge of the Centre for Innovative & Lifelong Learning, University of Mauritius.

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. Kandri remarked that entrepreneurial spirit is extensive in Africa, but training is lacking for entrepreneurs to grow to scale. This is where eLearning programmes are beneficial. Since Africa is a continent of 54 countries, all with different challenges, Mr. Kandri stressed the importance understanding local contexts. "... there are specific educational issues that the entire region is facing. These include high teacher and student absenteeism, limited in-classroom instructional time, rote learning, poor school infrastructure/no electricity, untrained teachers in rural areas, poor health/nutrition, and girls leaving early." (Please read the full-length interview with Mr. Kandri on the eLearning Africa Newsportal.)

At eLearning Africa 2017, overcoming these challenges, and much more, will be discussed. The gathering takes place in the Republic of Mauritius under the patronage of the Hon. Yogida Sawmynaden, Minister of Technology, Communication and Innovation and the Hon. Leela Devi Dookun-Luchoomun, Minister of Education and Human Resources, Tertiary Education and Scientific Research.

The event would not be possible without the tremendous support and generosity of the partners and sponsors. These include AADLC, Altissia, Avanti Communications, Blackboard, The Global Business School Network, Mwabu, Online Business School, OpenCollab, Oracle, Pearson Education Africa, Presentations2Go, Proctorio, Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University, Sterling Pixels, and UNESCO INRULE.