Mastercard Foundation regional centre seeks edtech solutions for one-year programme

Do you have an edtech product that has the potential to improve the quality of teaching and learning in Africa, as well as ensure that young people have the skills they need to succeed?

The Mastercard Foundation Regional Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning in ICT is seeking innovative growth-stage businesses to submit their solutions for an opportunity to scale their ventures and improve access to quality education on the continent.

The Kigali-based centre said in a statement yesterday that the call for submissions is the first request for proposals that it has issued. Those interested must submit their solutions online by 21 November.

Edtech innovators have until 21 November to submit their proposals

Applicants must have one of the following:

• A registered company that is now post-product with the potential to scale and that is typically in operations for two years or longer
• A company is majority African-led and or owned
• A for-profit or non-for-profit operating model is in place
• A company that is already operating in, or interested in moving into, the education market in Africa

Successful applicants will be supported for a minimum of 12 months and benefit from a comprehensive package that includes customised mentorship, financial support, and the opportunity to test, validate and scale their business.

The Mastercard Foundation Regional Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning in ICT works with governments, edtech developers, and other stakeholders to identify and eliminate the barriers facing young people pursuing secondary education in Africa.

The centre said consultations with academics, young people and edtech entrepreneurs at a recent ministerial round-table hosted by the Mastercard Foundation in Botswana found that two priority areas emerged. These it said are professional development and enriched learning content.

Based on these findings, the centre is primarily looking for proposals that will either enhance and increase accessibility and affordability of professional development for in-service teachers — or create and deliver learning content to both in-school and out-of-school secondary school learners.

Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning in ICT regional director Joseph Nsengimana said the centre’s aim is to create an active connection between those who need the solutions and those who create them.

“Solutions often do not consider the on-the-ground limitations from both a training perspective and the technical environment. We’re talking about co-creation every step of the way,” added Nsengimana.

Learn more about the request for proposals here (opens as PDF).

Featured image: Staff at the University of Rwanda, Rukara campus, prepare and deliver online courses in physics and philosophy (Supplied)