Co-creation HUB Reinforces Focus on Tech-Enhanced Education in Africa
Today’s announcement of the third cohort for the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship by CcHUB is nothing short of inspiring. It showcases a significant step toward inclusive innovation in education, with an impressive equal representation of male and female founders. This balance highlights the pivotal role women are playing in revolutionizing learning in Nigeria and throughout Africa. The inventive solutions put forth by these startups aim to bridge the critical gaps in education, empowering a brighter future for learners across the continent. From AI-driven learning platforms to digital finance education and virtual science labs designed for rural access, these initiatives are not just conceptual; they are tangible actions that will reshape the educational landscape.
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“As we usher in our third cohort, it’s invigorating to see the high-impact solutions these startups are poised to deliver,” says Nissi Madu, Managing Partner at CcHUB. “This year’s selection process was more competitive than ever as we focused on finding ventures that directly address the urgent gaps in Africa’s education ecosystem. Our mission is centered around equipping youth with essential skills to thrive in an ever-evolving world. These innovators are absolutely taking bold strides toward shaping the future of learning and fostering long-term prosperity across our continent.”
Reflecting on the achievements of the fellowship, it’s remarkable to note that the initiative has significantly impacted over 676,145 learners in Nigeria. An astounding 84% of those beneficiaries are children and young adults, exemplifying the program’s commitment to expanding access to quality education. Consistently, the efforts have resulted in a 53% female representation among the learners, reinforcing the critical importance of gender inclusion in educational opportunities.
“The partnership between CcHUB and the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship has been transformative for us,” shares Louisa Olafuyi, Co-founder of Kunda Kids from the first cohort. “The insights and resources we’ve received have allowed us to adapt our app for better engagement, ensuring it meets the needs of our target audience—children and families worldwide. Through this fellowship, we’ve not only enhanced our digital offerings but also prioritized user safety and privacy in our educational content.”
In the spirit of transformation, Frank Williams, CEO of Lingawa, articulated the undeniable impact of the fellowship on their journey: “Thanks to the support from the Fellowship, we closed a $1.1 million pre-seed round and rebranded ourselves, establishing the groundwork for significant sales. The program not only strengthened our team dynamics but also connected us to a robust network of motivated founders focused on making a difference. We’re eager to witness how Cohort 3 will continue to impact education in Nigeria.”
After a rigorous selection process, CcHUB proudly announces the 12 innovative ventures chosen for the 2025 Cohort 3:
- AI Teacha: An educational platform providing personalized, AI-powered tools for teachers to enhance student engagement and outcomes.
- Blue and Sand, STEM Lab: This initiative offers virtual science labs that empower rural secondary schools, enabling equitable learning even without internet access.
- Cloudnotte: A versatile educational platform facilitating flexible learning for students and enhanced connectivity for educators.
- Flexisaf (Distinction): An AI-driven platform that aids educational institutions in tracking student performance and uncovering learning gaps.
- HiPrep Online: A personalized after-school platform for K–12 learners, focusing on core subjects like math and science.
- I-Train Africa: This organization empowers youth and women with in-demand digital skills and seamless access to the global workforce.
- Kryptr: An AI platform tackling Africa’s workforce gap by providing role-specific training and employment opportunities for young adults.
- Mavis Computel: An innovative tool called “Talking Books” designed to improve literacy in underprivileged areas.
- Smart Steward Academy: A platform cultivating essential skills in financial literacy and entrepreneurship among youth, especially women.
- Tespire: This mobile app supports school owners in semi-urban Africa by enhancing income and personalized learning.
- Sproutly: A streamlined payment processing solution tailored for K–12 institutions, universities, and edtech platforms.
- VarsityScape: This platform enables experts to quickly launch online academies, equipping learners with independence and future-ready skills.
Rodwell Mangisi, Acting Director at the Mastercard Foundation Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, underscores the necessity of pushing forward educational solutions. “We must accelerate resources for young people out of school who often find themselves excluded from the education ecosystem,” he remarks. “Designing with the end user in mind creates more scalable, sustainable, and ultimately impactful solutions.”
In the upcoming six months, CcHUB will assist the 2025 cohort not only in scaling their innovations but also in building stronger networks and partnerships. This support aims to enhance their efforts to reshape the future of education across Africa.
Alongside advisory sessions led by experts, the fellows will enjoy financial backing of up to $100,000 in non-equity grants and continued mentorship, extending their support for an additional 12 months post-accelerator program.
The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship’s mission is clear: it strives to uplift EdTech companies across Africa addressing the myriad learning challenges present within K-12 education, tertiary education, and vocational training. Collectively, we hope these solutions will contribute to resolving the long-standing challenges hindering enrollment, educational quality, and availability that plague the continent’s burgeoning young population.
About CcHUB
Co-creation HUB (CcHUB) is steadfast in its dedication to stimulating Africa’s economic progress through the integration of social capital and technology. Founded in 2010 as Nigeria’s first innovation hub, CcHUB has expanded to become the continent’s largest tech innovation center, with presence in cities like Lagos, Kigali, Nairobi, and Windhoek. Its transformative initiatives have impacted over 40 countries, including South Africa, Morocco, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
About the Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation, a registered Canadian charity, stands as one of the world’s preeminent foundations. Its mission aligns with advancing education and financial inclusion so that young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada are empowered to secure dignified and meaningful work. Established in 2006 following Mastercard’s public transition, the foundation operates with autonomy from the company, with various offices across cities including Toronto, Kigali, and Lagos. Its policies and programs are determined by a dedicated Board of Directors.
The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship
Designed to support promising African EdTech ventures, the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is a comprehensive entrepreneurship acceleration program. It partners with innovation hubs and EdTech accelerators across the continent, extending critical business and financial support to selected ventures. The fellowship aims to prepare these companies for scalability, sustainability, and impactful influence. Launched in 2019, the fellowship aims to engage 12 tech hubs to assist over 250 EdTech firms, thus reaching a minimum of 1.8 million young people by 2025.
In closing, it’s exciting to see how these fresh ideas and dedicated individuals will continue to shape the educational narrative in Africa. As we celebrate these initiatives, one cannot help but ponder: what other unexpected innovations are just waiting to be uncovered?
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
