As Tanzania embraces the digital age, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MoEST) has launched a draft of the National Digital Education Strategy (NDES) 2024-2030. Still, in the consultation phase, the MoEST, through this strategy, aims to provide directions and guides for integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into all levels of education in the country. As the draft strategy undergoes further refinement, its potential implications for the EdTech sector are already becoming apparent. This blog post explores how the NDES strategy, once finalised and implemented, could impact EdTech companies in Tanzania. Such strategy is central to the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program led by Sahara Consult in that it offers some insights needed for the EdTech sector. In particular, the NDES is timely for the 10 innovative companies/startups participating in the Mastercard Foundation fellowship, including Shuleyetu Innovations Limited, Mtabe, Smartdarasa Company Limited, Infotaaluma Company Limited, ShuleSoft, Smartcore Enterprise Limited, Kilimanjaro Planetarium/Rada 360 Ltd, MITz Group Company Limited, Fiqra Technologies, and Taifa Technovation Hub.

Building the Foundation: Digital Infrastructure in the Making

A key element of the draft NDES is the focus on Infrastructure and Access. The strategy outlines ambitious plans to enhance digital connectivity in educational institutions nationwide, particularly in underserved rural areas. For EdTech companies, this could open up new opportunities to create solutions tailored for these newly connected regions. The draft strategy emphasis on the centrality of affordable internet, digital devices, and secure educational platforms suggests a future where EdTech solutions could be seamlessly integrated into Tanzania's education system, providing a solid foundation for further innovation. The focus of some of the EdTech companies is captured below:

1. Shuleyetu Innovations Limited (shuleyetu.com) provides a digital school management system that integrates various school operations such as admission, attendance, fee, and transportation logistics. By offering these digital tools, ShuleYetu enhances operational efficiency, particularly in rural or underserved areas with limited access to quality education infrastructure. Their system can help bridge the digital divide by making digital management accessible to schools regardless of location.
2. Mtabe (mtabeapp.com) addresses infrastructure and access challenges by providing offline access to educational content via SMS. This service allows students in areas with limited internet connectivity to receive quality education. This service ensures that students in remote or rural regions can access learning materials, thus supporting the strategy's goal of expanding educational access across Tanzania .

Shaping the Curriculum: Opportunities for EdTech Content Developers

The draft National Digital Education Strategy emphasizes ICT Integration in the Curriculum and Digital Content Development. This focus presents a significant shift and opportunity for EdTech companies specializing in creating educational content. As the government works to standardise digital learning and encourage the development of local digital content, EdTechs can align their offerings with the national curriculum, ensuring their products are both relevant and scalable. The push for localised content highlights a need for educational materials that are both technologically advanced and culturally appropriate to open up a niche market for EdTechs in Tanzania.

1. Smartdarasa Company Limited (smartdarasa.com) focuses on developing digital learning platforms that offer educational content tailored to the Tanzanian curriculum. By aligning their content with national standards, they help ensure that digital education solutions are relevant and effective for local students, thus contributing to developing localised content, as emphasized in the NDES .
2. Fiqra Technologies (fiqra.academy) provides platforms that support digital learning and content development. Their focus on creating content that is accessible and relevant to Tanzanian students directly supports the NDES's push for localized and culturally appropriate educational materials .

Assessing the Future: Digitizing Evaluation Processes

The draft strategy's focus on Digital Assessment is another area of interest for the EdTech sector. The plan advocates digitising evaluation tools, paving the way for more efficient and effective assessment processes. EdTech companies that can develop innovative digital assessment platforms may find themselves at the forefront of this transformation, contributing to the modernisation of Tanzania's education system and practices while meeting the needs of administrators, educators, and students.

1. Infotaaluma Company Limited (infotaaluma.co.tz) offers tools that facilitate digital assessments, helping educators track student performance and administer exams efficiently. By digitising these processes, Infotaaluma aligns with the NDES's nationwide goal of modernizing educational assessments.
2. ShuleSoft (shulesoft.africa) is a digital platform that simplifies various school management tasks, including student assessment. Its tools allow for the efficient administration and reporting of exams, which is crucial for the NDES's vision of digitizing education assessment processes .
3. Fiqra Technologies (fiqra.academy), besides content development, Fiqra Technologies supports digital assessment through its platforms, facilitating more accurate and streamlined evaluation of student performance. This contribution is essential and aligns with the NDES's emphasis on improving assessment methods through digital tools .

Empowering Educators: The Role of EdTech in Capacity Building

Recognising the need for skilled educators, the draft NDES prioritises Human Resources and Capacity Building. This presents an opportunity for EdTech companies to develop training programs and platforms that support education administrators, teachers, and other stakeholders' ongoing professional development. By collaborating with educational institutions, EdTechs can help build a digitally literate teaching workforce, which is critical for successfully implementing the strategy once it is finalised.

1. MITz Group Company Limited (mitzkits.co.tz), through its brand MITz KITS, significantly enhances STEM education in Tanzania by providing affordable, syllabus-based, and customisable science kits for primary and secondary school students. Its mission is to make STEM education more accessible and engaging by offering practical tools students can use to explore scientific concepts hands-on. This approach directly supports the NDES's goal of building the capacity of teachers and students to use digital tools in education effectively. The MITz's focus is essential given the need for STEM in today's world.
2. Kilimanjaro Planetarium/Rada 360 Ltd (kilimanjaroplanetarium.com) leverages advanced technologies such as virtual reality (VR) to provide immersive educational experiences. These technologies can create interactive and engaging learning environments, particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects. By bringing these innovative tools to the classroom, Kilimanjaro Planetarium aligns with the NDES's emphasis on integrating emerging technologies into the educational system. Its work enriches the learning experience and prepares students to engage with the digital tools and technologies that will be prevalent in the future job market.

Innovating for the Future: Embracing Research and Emerging Technologies

The NDES focus on Research, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Emerging Technologies highlights the importance of continuous research and innovation in the education sector. EdTech companies are already exploring AI, VR, AR, and other cutting-edge technologies that could significantly shape the future of education in Tanzania. The draft strategy encourages a culture of innovation, creating a supportive environment where EdTechs can thrive and contribute to the educational landscape.

1. Kilimanjaro Planetarium/Rada 360 Ltd leverages cutting-edge technologies like Virtual Reality (VR) to provide immersive educational experiences. These technologies allow students to interact more with complex scientific concepts, enhancing their understanding and retention.
2. Smartcore Enterprise Limited focuses on integrating advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their educational platforms. Their solutions enhance the learning experience by providing personalised learning paths, predictive analytics for educators, and interactive learning environments. This use of AI improves the effectiveness of educational tools and aligns with the NDES's emphasis on innovation in the education sector.
3. Taifa Technovation Hub (tatechhub.com) is a hub of innovation, particularly in STEM education. They provide hands-on learning experiences in robotics, coding, and other STEM fields through their Robotics Bootcamps and STEM Learning Kits. Their focus on fostering creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving through technology prepares students for the future workforce and contributes to developing a digitally literate population. Their approach to using emerging technologies in education directly supports the NDES's goals of enhancing innovation and preparing students for the digital economy.

Conclusion: Preparing for a Transformative Era

While the National Digital Education Strategy is still in draft form, its potential to transform Tanzania's education sector is undeniable. For EdTech companies, this draft represents not just an opportunity but a challenge to innovate and align their products and services with the country's future direction of education. Through initiatives such as the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Program, which Sahara Consult is leading, there is tremendous potential to nurture and scale innovative solutions that will shape the future of education in Tanzania.

As stakeholders continue to provide feedback to enrich the draft strategy, the EdTech sector must keep abreast of developments, stay engaged, and be proactive. By doing so, EdTechs can ensure they are ready to play a pivotal role in Tanzania's digital education transformation, helping to create a more inclusive, equitable, and technologically advanced education system and practices for all.

The finalisation and implementation of the National Digital Education Strategy could mark the beginning of a new era for education in Tanzania, and EdTechs are well-positioned to lead the way. This is a moment for EdTech companies/startups to capitalise on the NDES directives and guides.