Publish at November 19 2025 Updated November 19 2025
The development of Africa and, to a certain extent, its major cities requires substantial investment in a number of areas. The notion of the "intelligent city" is currently very much in vogue. While the main objective is technological and infrastructural development, the educational aspect also needs to be highlighted. What role does education play in these current initiatives in Africa?
Africa's transformative enterprises are breathing new life into a continent in the throes of a demographic boom. To achieve this, it is important to continue investing in education. For Africa's decision-makers, it's a question of building a school adapted to the real needs of this century. By this, we mean moving away from a school of pure and simple knowledge transfer towards a more strategic preparation to face the major challenges of the 21ᵉ century such as
In this vein, we're talking about training creative, authentic learners who are capable of innovation.
Only in this way can we hope to transform an Africa that seems more than ever in need of a second wind, to reach its full potential and create a favorable climate for future generations. Futuristic initiatives and cities are part of this dynamic of change.
Across Africa, there is an upsurge in projects aimed at transforming the continent. Digital innovation, energy efficiency and community participation are the most targeted aspects. Some African countries stand out from the crowd with projects that are as creative as they are visionary. In presenting them, our focus is on their educational contribution.
Creating, having and even implementing futuristic ideas is a good thing. However, getting the whole population to benefit from them is a real challenge. In fact, to have an even stronger Africa, it's vital to work to ensure equitable education through an equitable distribution of educational infrastructure. In fact, however salutary the initiative to transform educational practices may be, allowing only part of a country's population to benefit will not solve the underlying problems; on the contrary, it could become another instrument for reinforcing inequalities.
In this vein, one of the main conclusions of the follow-up report to the Continental Strategy on Education for Africa and the Sustainable Development Goal published by UNESCO, UNICEF and the African Union reveals that:
"Although 75 Million more African children are enrolled in school today compared to 2015, the number of out-of-school children increased by 13.2 million to over 100 million during the same period." In other words, we still have a long way to go to make education accessible to all.
Another challenge, and not the least important, is the long-term nature of these projects. One of the problems still encountered in Africa lies in the efficient follow-up of the projects undertaken. Even when we embark on an educational overhaul, it is just as urgent to invest the same energy in monitoring and anticipating future challenges in order to have an effective long-term impact. That's all the good we wish for smart cities and initiatives aimed at transforming education in Africa.
Illustration: image generated by Meta
Sources
High school students S.T.E.M study tour at Konza Technopolis
https:// youtu.be/HEHYhCDIDOo?feature=shared
What you need to know about the state of education in Africa
https://www.unesco.org/fr/articles/ce-quil-faut-savoir-sur-letat-de-leducation-en-afrique
Konza Technology City: the "Silicon Savannah" in the light of Kenya's current challenges
https://amecas.wordpress.com/2018/04/06/konza-technology-city-la-silicon-savannah-a-la-lumiere-des-enjeux-actuels-au-kenya/
Rwanda celebrates the conclusion of the Intelligent Education project and the launch of the DigiTruck.
https:// www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/le-rwanda-celebre-la-conclusion-du-projet-deducation-intelligente-et-le-lancement-du-digitruck-302576004.html
Rwanda marks the completion of phase I of an intelligent education project and launches the DigiTruck initiative
https:// techafricanews.com/2025/10/06/rwanda-marks-completion-of-phase-i-of-smart-education-project-and-launches-digitruck-initiative/
Smart cities, a strategic response to African urbanization
https:// www.wearetech.africa/fr/fils/actualites/tech/les-villes-intelligentes-une-reponse-strategique-a-l-urbanisation-africaine
Diamniadio: Senegal's new city
https:// essentiel-int.com/diamniadio-la-ville-nouvelle-du-senegal/
Student life at the UAM - Student life at the UAM - UAM
https:// url-shortener.me/9TBW
ISEP AMADOU TRAXARE DE DIAMNIADIO - https://isepdiamniadio.com/
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