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DUBAI / WAM
The Digital School, an initiative by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), participated in the 18th edition of the eLearning Africa Conference and Exhibition, held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The Digital School presented its leading experience in accelerating digital transformation in education, forging impactful partnerships to provide advanced learning opportunities for students in underserved areas, and promoting international cooperation in education development.
As a key partner of the conference, the Digital School led a high-level delegation that included strategic partners, including the “Ataya” initiative by the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) and the Centre of Excellence for Applied Research and Training (CERT).
eLearning Africa is the continent’s largest and most influential platform dedicated to digital education and skills development. This year’s edition attracted over 1,500 participants from more than 80 countries, including 20 ministers, policymakers, experts, and representatives of international organisations. The UAE’s sponsorship of the event aligns with the “Ataya” initiative’s 2025 pledge to dedicate the proceeds of its annual exhibition to support e-learning projects in Africa, in collaboration with the Digital School, through a portfolio of leading initiatives and programmes.
During the conference, the Digital School signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of the United Republic of Tanzania to enhance cooperation in digital education and empower African youth.
The signing ceremony was attended by Professor Adolf Mkenda, Tanzania’s Minister of Education, Science and Technology; Khalifa Al Marzouqi, UAE Ambassador to Tanzania; Hend Al Muhairbi, Director of the Ataya Project and a key partner of the Digital School in the Africa E-Learning Initiative. The MoU was signed by Dr. Waleed Al Ali, Secretary-General of the Digital School, and Professor Caroline Nombo, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry. In addition, the Digital School announced the launch of its first regional office in Tanzania to support the “SkillED Academies” Project. The initiative is in collaboration with IIT Madras in Zanzibar, acting as the academic partner, and CERT, under a trilateral agreement.
The new office will support digital education and field-based training across Africa, engaging in applied research, hands-on training, and the development of educational programmes tailored to national priorities of African countries. The UAE delegation to the 2025 Conference included Dr. Waleed Al Ali, Hend Al Muhairbi, Khalid Al Hammadi – Acting Chief Business Officer and Vice President of Education and Training at CERT, Mark Regilly – Director of Institutional Development and Strategic Partnerships at CERT, and Al Reem Al Mutawa from the Digital School.
Dr Waleed Al Ali stated that the Digital School’s prominent participation in the conference reflects growing international confidence in its innovative model for advancing digital education. “The growing recognition and adoption of the model across African nations and global development partners,” he added.
During the event, the Digital School launched new initiatives to support education in Africa and held strategic meetings aimed at driving digital transformation in the continent’s education sector.
In his remarks at the ministerial session, Dr Al Ali stressed that in today’s world, digital learning is not a luxury but a necessity—a bridge to hope, a pathway to dignity, and a promise of a better future, especially for communities struggling to access quality education.
Professor Caroline Nombo welcomed the collaboration with the Digital School, stating, “We have recently developed our national curricula to emphasise the importance of technology in education.” “We are very excited about this partnership as it will facilitate our digital transformation journey. We look forward to working together, sharing knowledge, and improving teaching and learning outcomes for our students in Tanzania.”
Al Muhairbi expressed pride in participating in Africa’s leading digital education event, highlighting Ataya’s humanitarian efforts in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, and spotlighting the SkillED Academies initiative, which will be launched in collaboration with the Digital School in several African countries. For his part, Al Hammadi underlined the role of innovation in reshaping the future of education. He stated that CERT’s presence alongside the Digital School sheds light on the UAE’s vision of education as a strategic enabler of human empowerment—both in Africa and globally—by equipping individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for the digital age. He reaffirmed CERT’s commitment, as the implementing partner for the SkillED Academies, to providing practical, work-ready skills that enhance employability.
At the exhibition, the Digital School and Ataya showcased innovative education projects, including the SkillED Academies initiative, which was launched during the World Governments Summit 2025. The initiative aims to empower African youth and educators with digital education aligned with labor market needs. The Digital School also hosted a ministerial session that brought together African ministers and senior officials to explore ways to accelerate access to education and training through technology and innovation. On the second day, a specialised workshop was held with education and development leaders from across Africa to discuss national strategies for digital education transformation. The workshop emphasised the role of youth skills-building programmes in driving economic and social development. In parallel, the Digital School held over 12 bilateral meetings with ministries, entities, and development organisations to explore and expand cooperation in digital education. The growing interest in partnering with the Digital School reflects the increasing attention African nations are giving to advancing digital education.
Since its launch 19 years ago, the eLearning Africa Conference and Exhibition has hosted more than 22,000 participants from over 100 countries and featured over 4,800 speakers. The event is backed by prominent international organisations such as UNESCO, the African Union, the African Development Bank, as well as major global technology firms including Microsoft and Google. The conference has become a strategic platform for shaping the future of digital education in Africa.