Habari Reader,

We are on the twelfth day of January, of a new year, and I am still writing my dates as 12/01/2025. Sigh! Some of us start our year slow, some start with all the hype there can be. I love it all. My colleague recently shared that her word for the year is “Stay Put” and it resonated with me a lot. What is your word for 2026? What are you hoping for?

I am very grateful to you for answering our Newsletter Survey in December, 2025. We’re looking at how to integrate and incorporate your feedback in our forthcoming editions.

Meanwhile, find out what's happening, opportunities, and resources in the EdTech Space in Africa. Please forward EdTech Jalada to an EdTech enthusiast in your circle!

What’s Happening

EdTech East Africa is attending BETT UK for the first time representing different EdTech organisations from East Africa at the inaugural African Pavillion! This is the first time Africa is showcasing our innovations at this Global EdTech Convening with more than 35,000 attendees. Connect with our Jennifer Otieno & Ciku Mbugua in London! Click the circle social media icons at the end of the newsletter for more updates from BETT Global.

The African Union released the Continental Education Strategy for Africa 2026 to 2035 (CESA 26–35). A framework that looks into how we can promote quality and inclusive learning opportunities for all across the continent.

Read the Strategy

There are a lot of social media conversations about the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education results and schools placement for candidates joining Grade 10. What do you think about the performance? (Only 270,000 out of 993,000 students qualified for direct university admission) and what does this mean for tertiary education and institutions in Kenya?
Did you miss out on the EdTech Summits in 2025? We are back with a fully packed year for you—look at the tentative dates here and plan to join us. See you soon!

Opportunities

Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship

UGANDA

Are you a Ugandan EdTech Innovator working to build inclusive solutions serving underserved learners, including low income communities, refugees, and learners with disabilities?

Apply for Cohort 1 of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Uganda.

Deadline: 5th February 2026

TANZANIA

Apply here

Deadline: 31st January 2026

GHANA

Apply here

Deadline: 30th January 2026

Call for Submissions

UNESCO is seeking good practices that are showing results in advancing the Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) — ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. Read more and submit here.

Resources

Read An African AI EduTech Moment: Move Forward with Intention on how we can use AI for education to prevent cognitive offloading.

How do we measure the “impact” of EdTech Solutions? What qualifies as “impact”? Read more on ‘How to avoid three common pitfalls in EdTech impact evaluations’.

What is the state of teaching in the world? Read this report by The OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) on how teachers use artificial intelligence, why they choose teaching, and if they wish to remain in the profession.

Do you have an resources/opportunities in EdTech and need a platform to share with EdTech professionals? Don’t hesitate to share with me on nyarinda@edtech-eastafrica.com. I can’t wait to hear from you and amplify your work. Send all details!!

FYI! All emails from EdTech East Africa take our domain name (edtech-eastafrica.com)

"Somebody said that you have to love what you do, but that's not necessarily true. What is true is that you have to love the opportunity. The opportunity to build a life, future, health, success and fortune. Knocking on someone's door may not be something you love to do, but you love the opportunity of what might be behind that door." - Jim Rohn

Until next time,

Happy New Year filled with opportunities!

Nyarinda :)