KIGALI — In a recent interview at the eLearning Africa conference, Rogers Sithole, founder of OneConnect, shared insights on the pivotal role of e-learning in shaping educational outcomes across Africa. Sithole's company has been actively promoting the use of technology to enhance education on the continent since its inception in 2009, with a focus on making quality education accessible to all children, regardless of location.
According to Africa News Agency, the eLearning Africa event has significantly impacted OneConnect's operations, especially in the last two editions, by facilitating a pipeline of customers and advancing educational technology in alignment with the company's vision. The conference has been instrumental in promoting the use of technology for advanced education—a goal that resonates deeply with OneConnect's mission.
Sithole highlighted the origins of OneConnect in South Africa and its expansion across the continent, including offices in Mozambique, Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria. He emphasized the company's commitment to democratizing education in Africa, describing technology as a crucial tool for bridging the educational divide between rural and urban areas. This approach requires collaboration between the private and public sectors to ensure that every child can access quality education.
Addressing the challenges of implementing e-learning, Sithole shared his personal experiences of growing up in challenging environments and how they shaped his understanding of the educational needs in Africa. He stressed the importance of customizing solutions to fit the unique context of African countries, a strategy that OneConnect has pursued through partnerships across the continent.
Sithole also discussed the role of public sector involvement in e-learning, noting the initial challenges in integrating digital tools into traditional teaching environments. He advocated for the inclusion of decision-makers to address these challenges and emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Sithole argued that AI could enhance educational delivery by automating content creation, thereby allowing teachers to focus on the quality and delivery of education.
Looking to the future, Sithole reiterated his commitment to democratizing education in Africa. He outlined the necessity of using technology to provide equitable education opportunities, especially in rural areas, and called for a collaborative effort between governments, private companies, and educational institutions to achieve this goal.