“Read, write, count... and encode! ”
In just a few weeks, the use of digital tools has increased considerably in West Africa. With the belief that digital technology has much to offer its country, the start-up mJangale was quick to open a virtual classroom on computer programming techniques. Baptized Coder@Keur, this solution already brings together 175 trainees, passionate about IT. And the opportunities are promising, given that technology and innovation represent a major asset in boosting African economic growth and improving the lives of its populations. “Read, write, count... and encode! That’s what I aspire to for today’s youth!” enthuses Christelle Scharff, co-founder of mJangale. “Before the pandemic, our educational programme was exclusively classroom-based. Our science, technology, engineering and mathematics workshops were organised outside of school hours, essentially in Senegal. Since the Covid-19 crisis, we have set up a virtual classroom whose educational arsenal is built up day by day and is reaching out to other French-speaking markets”, explains Christelle; Indeed, French, Canadian, Mauritanian and Ivorian trainees are among those signed up. Free of charge, the course focuses mainly on teaching the programming language Python. Yet beyond mastering the technology, mJangale is looking to share teachings on how to properly use digital technologies. “Digital technology should not be seen as being just for entertainment purposes. In particular, it facilitates access to knowledge and learning. It opens up perspectives for preparing your future”, concludes Christelle.
Towards the development of real educational engineering?
The use of e-learning has become a part of our lives and initiatives continue to be developed. In Senegal, the Ministry of Education has recently made Google’s free platform (Classroom) available online to schools. Teachers can also diffuse content via virtual lessons, and remotely monitor student’s progress. However, among the millions of students under lockdown, how many of them have the necessary resources at home to connect and follow their courses? Lamine Barro, operations manager with the Ivorian start-up Etudesk, wants to introduce a viable solution. It has recently formed a partnership with MTN, second telephone operator in Côte d’Ivoire. Thanks to their smartphone, network subscribers will be able to access the online learning platform powered by Etudesk. All without surcharge or use of mobile data credit. Since lockdown measures came into effect, Etudesk’s e-learning solution has seen its subscriber numbers explode, going from 60 client-institutions to 220. But after the crisis, should we fear a lessening of interest for e-learning? Lamine Barro remains convinced that distance learning will establish itself as a long term solution for schools. “Virtual classrooms are not just a technological solution. Schools need to be accompanied. That’s why Etudesk goes further. We train teachers in how to use the tool. We also provide our expertise in developing educational courses. Soon, we’ll be able to reference all the online courses in the country. And over the next 3 years, we hope to replicate this model on the Nigerien, Malian and Senegalese markets”.
Financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the NTF IV Senegal project is a support programme for the development of the information technologies and business process outsourcing sectors. From November 2017 to July 2021, the project will assist 80 businesses, the winners in their international business development. NTF IV Senegal is run by the International Trade Centre (ITC), in collaboration with the Senegalese Agency for Export Promotion (ASEPEX) and the Organisation of information technologies and communication professionals OPTIC in Senegal. In the long-term, the NTF-IV programme should encourage the development of a favourable economic environment for Senegalese businesses in the IT and BPO sectors.
Financed by Canada, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands Trust Fund IV, the #FastTrackTech project is implemented by the International Trade Centre. Thanks to a targeted coaching and training offer, the #FastTrackTech project, since October 2019, is committed alongside digital entrepreneurs who aspire to international growth in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Mali, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia.