It was a bright Tuesday morning when I walked into a small classroom in Tamale, not expecting to witness something that would stay with me for a long time.
In front of about 30 students was not a traditional teacher holding chalk — but a large TV screen connected to a solar-powered tablet.
The voice of a teacher thousands of kilometers away echoed through the room, guiding students through math problems. This wasn’t magic — it was Edtech in motion, delivered by a local startup determined to change the narrative of education in Ghana.
As Ghana faces a future where digital skills, critical thinking, and innovation will define success, Edtech startups are emerging as unsung heroes in our fight for educational transformation. These ventures are not just building apps; they are reimagining access, equity, and quality in our schools.
Why do Edtech startups matter now more than ever?
Let’s start with the big picture. The World Bank estimates that over 89percent of children in Sub-Saharan Africa are in learning poverty — meaning they cannot read and understand a simple story by age 10.
In Ghana, despite efforts to improve enrollment, challenges around teacher shortages, access to quality materials, and digital literacy still persist. This is where Edtech startups step in — flexible, fast-moving, and deeply connected to local problems.
They are able to innovate quickly, experiment with new ideas, and deliver practical tools that bridge the gaps our traditional system struggles with.
Startups driving change in Ghana’s education space
Across the country, young entrepreneurs are building solutions tailored to our context:
- eCampus Ghana: A homegrown platform that uses artificial intelligence to personalize learning for students and track performance over time. It’s already being used by students across SHS and tertiary levels.
- Kaino Africa (expanding into Ghana): Offers structured STEM learning through mobile devices in underserved areas.
- Npontu Technologies: Built “Suku”, a digital learning management system for basic schools, helping teachers manage lessons and students access content at their own pace.
- GrowForMe’s AgriEd platform: While primarily an agritech startup, it provides digital education for farmers, bridging the gap between agriculture and education.
These innovators are solving problems that are both deeply local and globally relevant: learning in low-connectivity areas, teaching in multiple Ghanaian languages, and training teachers on digital platforms.
What makes Edtech startups so powerful?
Unlike larger institutions or government projects that often move at the pace of policy, startups move with the urgency of purpose. They’re often built by people who’ve lived the very challenges they are trying to solve. And here’s the beautiful part: Edtech startups embody the spirit of the kind of society we want to build.
- They’re bold — daring to disrupt the status quo.
- They’re empathetic — designing solutions for kids in both Adabraka and Zabzugu.
- They’re patriotic — choosing to build for Ghana instead of chasing opportunities elsewhere.
When we support these startups, we’re not just betting on business. We’re investing in a future where education becomes the true equalizer — nurturing capable, competent, audacious, empathetic, and patriotic citizens.
Data speaks: the momentum is growing
- In 2023, MEST Africa and Mastercard Foundation launched an EdTech Fellowship, with 12 Ghanaian startups receiving funding, training, and visibility.
- Ghana is now ranked among the top 10 countries in Africa for Edtech innovation potential, according to a report by Briter Bridges (2023).
- The global Edtech market is expected to reach US$404 billion by 2025, and Africa’s share is growing, thanks to mobile-first innovations and rising youth populations.
But while momentum builds, sustainability remains a challenge — and that’s where national support must meet startup passion.
What needs to happen next?
To truly harness the potential of Edtech startups, Ghana must do three key things:
- Create a supportive policy environment – The Ministry of Education and GES need to create clearer, startup-friendly pathways for pilots, partnerships, and procurement. Startups shouldn’t need special connections to make a difference.
- Facilitate funding and scaling – Government, corporate Ghana, and development partners must invest in these solutions not just as CSR, but as smart investments in human capital. Seed funding, innovation grants, and scale-up support are essential.
- Build an ecosystem that encourages collaboration – Let’s connect startups with schools, teachers, universities, and one another. Peer learning and partnerships can accelerate growth and impact.
Conclusion: The builders of tomorrow are already among us
Somewhere in Kumasi, a developer is coding a literacy app that could help a child in Sogakope read for the first time.
In a co-working space in Accra, a small team is training teachers to use AI to grade essays faster. And in a classroom in Bolgatanga, students are solving real-world problems through a digital simulation.
These aren’t stories from the future. They’re happening now — quietly, persistently, powerfully. Edtech startups are the beating heart of Ghana’s educational transformation. They remind us that education isn’t just about passing exams — it’s about preparing people to build a nation we’re proud to call home.
- A Ghana where every learner, no matter their background, gets a fair shot.
- A Ghana where ideas become impact.
- A Ghana where tech and teaching walk hand in hand to lift all of us higher.
Let’s support the startups. Let’s invest in their visions. Because the future of Ghana’s education may just be sitting in a small room with Wi-Fi, whiteboards, and one big dream. Stay tuned for the next article in our Edtech series.
>>>the writer is President of Ghana Edtech Alliance. He can be reached via [email protected]
