Responsible Artificial Intelligence in Education in Africa: Action Research to Foster the Adoption and Scaling of Responsible AI Innovations in Basic Education (EDURAi-Africa) Project

Project Period

August 2025 - January 2030

Overview

African education systems continue to face deep, longstanding challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, limited teaching and learning resources, teacher shortages, and persistent gaps affecting girls, learners with disabilities, and learners in marginalized communities. At the same time, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force in global education. Across the continent, African innovators are already developing AI tools that support personalized learning, improved educational administration, sign-language translation, and multilingual content delivery. However, despite this momentum, there is limited evidence on how responsibly these technologies are developed and deployed, whether they improve learning and teaching outcomes, and how they can be scaled sustainably within low-resource environments.

This project addresses that gap by developing a comprehensive, Africa-led knowledge base on responsible AI in education. It uses a three-part methodology:

  1. A continent-wide scoping review and mapping of AI innovations in basic education;
  2. Rigorous case study evaluations of high-potential African-led and based AI innovations; and
  3. Evaluation to present pathways to scale responsible, non-commercial AI solutions across diverse African education systems.

The project aims to conceptualize responsible AI in education in Africa, evaluate AI innovations, and examine how they can be taken to scale.

Objectives

Overall Objective

To strengthen teaching, learning, and educational administration across Africa through the responsible development, evaluation, and scaling of African-based and led AI innovations in basic education.

Specific Objectives

  1. Deepen understanding on the state of African-led responsible AI innovations in the education sector.
  2. Evaluate the efficacy of African-led responsible AI innovations in the education sector.
  3. Deepen understanding and suggest potential non-commercial pathways to sustainably scale responsible AI innovations in education in Africa.

Scope

Inclusions

The project focuses on three major components:

a) Scoping review and mapping AI innovations (Part I)

 Identification and mapping of AI innovations in basic education across Africa
 A comprehensive desk review of literature (2000–2025)
 Key informant interviews with ministry of education officials, EdTech innovators, educators, and civil society
 Development of a framework for responsible AI use in education

b) Case Study Evaluations (Part II)

 Evaluation of at least two responsible African AI innovations in education in Africa
 Analysis of effects on learning outcomes, teacher effectiveness, accessibility, and inclusion
 Mixed-methods data collection (qualitative and quantitative)

c) Pathways to Scale (Part III)

 Identification of at least five responsible AI innovations suitable for scale
 Agile evaluation and implementation science approaches
 Guidance on policy, technical, financial, and system-level enablers for scale
 Stakeholder validation workshops Exclusions
 The project does not develop new AI technologies.
 It does not implement national-level AI tools in schools.
 It does not evaluate commercial EdTech products outside the African context.
 Higher education systems are not included; the focus is primary and secondary/basic education.

Project Duration: 30 months

Expected Outcomes

By the end of the project, the following key outcomes will be achieved:

  1. A Clear Evidence Base on Responsible AI in African Education: The project will provide a continent-wide synthesis of responsible AI innovations in education and their impacts on equity, inclusion, and learning.
  2. Tools and Frameworks to Guide Policy and Innovation: A practical, Africa-owned Framework for Responsible AI in Education, along with an interactive map of responsible AI innovations in education, will equip policymakers, EdTech hubs, and innovators with actionable guidance.
  3. Rigorous Evidence from Case Studies: Two evaluated AI innovations in education will generate credible, context-specific findings on what works, how it works, and for whom, shifting the conversation from potential to proven impact.
  4. Pathways for Scaling African-Led Innovations: The project will outline potential pathways for scaling responsible, non-commercial AI innovations in education in Africa.