Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been steadily making its mark in Africa over the past decade, with its adoption initially focused on sectors such as finance, agriculture, and healthcare. The education sector in Africa has also increasingly begun embracing AI due to its potential in providing innovative solutions to perennial challenges in teaching and learning, subsequently improving learning outcomes and transforming education as a whole in the entire continent.
From early initiatives using AI to automate administrative processes in universities to more recent advancements in personalized learning platforms, the expansion of AI in African education has been rapid and transformative.
Countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa have taken significant steps in leveraging AI to bridge gaps in access to quality education and address challenges such as teacher shortages and resource limitations.
Over the recent years, Kenya has made strides towards leveraging the use of AI. Most recently it has put out a call for public participation of its draft Kenya National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy 2025-2030.
The strategy provides a framework within which Kenya can harness the transformative power of AI across sectors of development, including education.
The ultimate aim is to propel Kenya as a leading AI hub: driving innovation and sustainable socio-economic development, while leading AI research and application in Africa.
Notably, the Digital Economy Blueprint, 2019, outlines integration of AI and other digital technologies into the various sectors, including education in order to promote innovation and enhance digital skills.
Through private-public partnerships, the Kenya government has stepped up efforts to provide technology and internet connectivity to schools across the country.
Artificial Intelligence in Education
This infrastructure makes it easier to leverage Artificial Intelligence to aid teaching and learning. In addition, the current CBC curriculum emphasizes digital literacy, enabling easier access to AI-related technology.
AI-powered EdTech platforms like M-Shule and Eneza Education are making it easier for teachers and learners, especially in underserved communities, to access education content.
AI algorithms can analyze individual learning patterns and adapt content to suit students’ unique needs, ensuring better engagement and comprehension.
Additionally, AI-powered tools such as speech-to-text and real-time translations have made education more inclusive for students with disabilities or language barriers.
The Ministry of Education has partnered with local and international Tech organizations, including Microsoft and Google, to build the capacities of teachers in the efficient and effective use of AI in teaching, assessment and management of classroom records.
AI can analyze vast amounts of data to provide insights into student performance, helping educators make informed decisions to improve learning outcomes. AI is also being used especially in supporting STEM education and innovation.
The Ministry of Education has set up STEM centers of excellence in select schools, providing opportunities for learners to leverage AI for learning, subsequently enhancing innovation.
Higher Education institutions such as the University of Nairobi (UoN) and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), are also harnessing the power of AI in teaching and research.
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The Government of Kenya continues to forge collaborative partnerships both at the continental as well as global levels, including the Africa Union and UNESCO, thus strengthening its AI capacities.
Developments across Africa
Similar developments are happening in Nigeria and South Africa, with the two countries making significant strides in integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their education sectors and marking a transformative shift in how education is delivered and accessed.
In Nigeria for example, the Education Minister, Dr. Tunji Alausa, recently announced plans to embed AI tools into schools to enhance teaching and learning.
A standout initiative in this transformation was a six-week pilot program in Benin City, where generative AI virtual tutors were introduced to students aged 12–17. This program focused on enhancing English language proficiency and digital literacy, achieving notable success by addressing common issues such as overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages.
The AI tutors provided personalized learning experiences, allowing students to progress at their own pace and improve engagement. This initiative demonstrated the potential of Artificial Intelligence to democratize education, making quality resources accessible to underserved communities.
Additionally, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Education has launched platforms such as Inspire for Students and Ignite for Teachers to further enhance the digital learning environment.
Inspire for Students offers a wide array of personalized learning tools designed to nurture individual talents and track progress, effectively bringing classrooms closer to learners.
Ignite for Teachers, on the other hand, provides educators with lesson planning resources, enabling them to create interactive and tailored lessons for diverse learning needs.
These platforms reflect Nigeria’s broader goal of leveraging technology to create an inclusive and equitable education system.
South Africa AI Policy
In 2021, South Africa introduced its National Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework, which outlines strategies to integrate AI across multiple sectors, including education.
This framework aims to position South Africa as a leader in AI innovation while supporting the Fourth Industrial Revolution and driving economic growth.
Building on this foundation, South Africa has collaborated with global technology leaders to implement ambitious initiatives.
In 2023, Microsoft announced a commitment to train one million South Africans in AI and cybersecurity skills by 2026. This initiative targets young learners, professionals, and government entities, providing access to industry-recognized certifications and essential skilling opportunities.
By equipping the population with AI competencies, South Africa is addressing the digital skills gap while preparing its workforce for the demands of a tech-driven economy.
Moreover, South Africa’s education system has begun experimenting with AI-driven tools that personalize learning, improve assessments, and support educators in creating dynamic learning environments.
AI applications such as adaptive learning platforms and intelligent tutoring systems are helping to address longstanding challenges, including resource disparities and teacher shortages in rural and underprivileged areas.
A future-ready generation
These initiatives and other similar ones happening in many other African countries are revolutionizing education by leveraging Artificial Intelligence to personalize learning, enhance digital literacy, and provide equitable access to quality education.
By addressing existing challenges like resource constraints and overcrowding in classrooms, and by aligning education systems with the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Africa is paving the way for a future-ready generation.
However, in spite of all these developments in policy and practice, there is the ever-present concern regarding how to maintain human agency in this era of AI.
While AI presents numerous advantages, it is essential to maintain human agency by ensuring that students, educators, and institutions are in control of the learning environment.
Tech for good
AI-powered tools should serve as tools of support that enhance learners’ educational experiences.
They should make routine tasks, like solving complex calculations in a Calculus class, easier rather than taking away learners’ capacity of knowing when to use appropriate mathematical formulae.
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AI outputs are only as good as what is fed into the AI-powered tools. The information generated is not always accurate.
Therefore, learners are still required to have critical thinking and problem-solving skills and use their judgment to interrogate and question the validity of the outputs.
Adopting Guidelines
Most educational institutions, especially universities, are now establishing clear guidelines on responsible use of AI to ensure that human judgment remains central to critical thinking and decision-making.
These guidelines, while promoting responsible use of AI, establish it as a collaborative tool that complements rather than replacing human capabilities, subsequently maintaining a balanced approach to its integration in the teaching and learning environment.
While interacting with AI tools in the learning environment, it is important to ensure that ethical considerations are made.
One significant challenge in Artificial Intelligence adoption within the learning environment is the mistrust between educators and students.
Since this technology has gained popularity among student bodies, educators have expressed worry about AI facilitating academic dishonesty.
Their response to this has further led to students feeling surveilled or unfairly assessed by AI-driven systems.
On the other hand, students have also used AI tools unethically to surveil others. It was recently reported that two Harvard University students designed smart glasses that were able to access and expose personal information of people on Harvard’s campus.
Such occurrences are a reminder to use AI with caution and not lose our human values, especially respect for individual rights and privacy.
Engaging both students and faculty in developing AI-related policies can foster mutual understanding and acceptance of AI.
Training programs that educate both students and faculty on the ethical and effective use of AI can build trust and confidence in the technology.
Impact on quality of education
While this can solve the immediate challenge and concern, integrating AI in education raises further concerns about whether professional quality may be compromised if students do not use AI responsibly.
Over-reliance on AI tools without developing fundamental skills can lead to skill erosion, such as reduced critical thinking and problem-solving, ultimately impacting students’ professional competence.
AI in education could also inadvertently lead to gaps in social skills, where students may excel in navigating AI-powered platforms but lack the foundational skills needed to adapt to new challenges in the workplace.
For instance, while AI can automate routine tasks, it cannot replace the human capacity for innovation, emotional intelligence, and complex decision-making.
Addressing the gaps
To address this, institutions must develop clear Artificial Intelligence usage policies that outline ethical guidelines, including transparency in AI applications and the reinforcement of human oversight in decision-making processes.
They must also strike a balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and ensuring that students develop the resilience and adaptability needed for current and future careers.
By addressing these long-term considerations, educational institutions can ensure that AI serves as a tool for empowerment rather than a source of dependency, ultimately contributing to a more skilled and adaptable workforce that can drive economic growth and societal progress.
Policy frameworks should include mechanisms for regular audits of AI systems to ensure they align with national and international ethical standards and educational goals. To achieve this, collaboration with policymakers, educators, and technology developers is essential to create adaptive regulations that can evolve with AI advancements.
In addition, stakeholder engagement, including student participation, should be integrated into policy development to ensure inclusivity and address concerns.
Learning institutions should promote interdisciplinary collaboration between technical experts and educators to design Artificial Intelligence tools that enhance, rather than replace, human interaction and creativity.
Regular review of AI guidelines by institutional and national ethical review boards will help AI to be implemented more effectively into education systems and provide recommendations for their continuous improvement.
The Journey Ahead
Africa still has an uphill task to fully realize the power of AI in revolutionizing its education systems. Disparities in accessing technology continue to widen existing inequalities, leaving rural and economically disadvantaged schools further behind.
If not implemented thoughtfully, AI could further widen this digital divide. Policymakers and educators must work together to ensure that AI adoption in education is inclusive and equitable, preparing all students—regardless of their socioeconomic background—for the demands of a rapidly changing job market and world of work.
To truly unlock AI’s transformative potential, it is imperative to prioritize equity and inclusivity in its integration. This means ensuring that AI tools and resources are accessible to underfunded schools, marginalized communities, and rural learners, who often face the greatest barriers to quality education.
By addressing these gaps, we can harness AI not only as a technological innovation but also as a force for social good—bridging divides, promoting equal opportunities, and empowering all learners to thrive in an AI-driven future.
This year’s International Day of Education theme, “Artificial Intelligence and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the evolving role of AI as a partner in learning.
It also reminds us to champion the values of critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and lifelong learning as we navigate this transformative journey.
About the Authors
This article was authored by Dr. Lucy A. Wakiaga, Charity Waweru-Mwangi, and Davis Muli Musyoki.
Dr. Wakiaga is an Associate Research Scientist in the Human Development (HD) Theme at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). Her current research work and interest focus on higher education research, gender and leadership, and school leadership.
Charity is a Communications Officer in the Policy Engagement and Communications (PEC) program at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). She is passionate about synergizing evidence in order to yield policy action and impactful change among communities in Africa.
Davis is a Communications Officer in the Synergy Unit within the Policy Engagement and Communications (PEC) program at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC). He is focused on enhancing public awareness and engagement with APHRC research.
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