UNESCO officials have called for artificial intelligence education to be incorporated into Africa’s foundational and secondary school systems, emphasizing its potential to transform learning and prepare students for the digital economy.
The recommendation came during the Ethiopia Digital Week 2025 and Huawei Education Summit in Addis Ababa, where education and technology experts gathered to discuss sustainable digital solutions for the continent.
Rita Bissoonauth, director of UNESCO’s Liaison Office to the African Union and UN Economic Commission for Africa, stressed the need for collaboration between governments and the private sector to develop AI-integrated curricula. “Investing in tech-driven educational models is essential to meet the demands of the new green economy,” she said, commending Chinese firms like Huawei for expanding ICT infrastructure across Africa. Huawei’s global ICT academy initiative, which partners with over 2,200 institutions and trains more than 200,000 students annually in cloud and networking technologies, was highlighted as a key contributor to digital skills development.
Abdoulaye Salifou, UNESCO’s education chief for the AU and UNECA, underscored the importance of responsible AI adoption guided by inclusive governance. “AI must be harnessed in a people-centered manner with clear ethical principles,” he said. The summit focused on practical applications, from AI-assisted teaching tools to adaptive learning platforms, with Huawei unveiling new education technologies, including an AI-powered cloud platform for digital classrooms and sustainable “Green Smart Campus” solutions featuring solar-powered infrastructure.
The push reflects broader efforts to align Africa’s education systems with global technological advancements while addressing infrastructure gaps. As AI reshapes industries worldwide, UNESCO’s appeal signals urgency in preparing African youth for a workforce increasingly reliant on digital literacy. However, implementation challenges including unequal internet access and teacher training remain critical hurdles for policymakers. The summit’s outcomes may accelerate partnerships to bridge these gaps, with private sector involvement likely to play a decisive role in scaling solutions across the continent.
