African countries have been charged to establish robust policy and regulatory frameworks to support and govern e-learning and online education in their national higher education systems.

The Secretary-General, Association of African Universities (AAU), Accra, Ghana, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at the Africa Centre of Excellence Technolgy Enhanced Learning—National Open University of Nigeria (ACETEL-NOUN) exhibition and e-learning conference.

This comes as Africa’s e-learning market size reached $3.1 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $7.2 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6per cent.

Prof. Oyewole noted that by establishing comprehensive policy and regulatory frameworks, African countries can unlock the potential of e-learning and online education, drive economic development, and promote social cohesion.

The Professor of Food Science Technology, said the move is crucial for harnessing the potential of online learning, addressing the unique challenges it presents, and ensuring that higher education institutions can provide quality education to students.

With the theme: ‘Harnessing Digital Innovations for Equitable and Sustainable Growth in Africa,’ participants were drawn from from academia, experts from Science and Technology sector, government and private institutions, and inventors, among others.

Speaking on the topic: ‘e-learning in Africa: Strategies, successes, and future directions’, the don lamented that funding is a major challenge to e-learning in the continent.

He highlighted other challenges confronting e-learning in Africa to include infrastructure deficits, high cost of data, cultural resistance, quality assurance, as well as accreditation.

While describing e-learning as a game changer, he called on the Nigerian government to borrow a leaf from Cameroun, where new undergraduates were handed computers to improve their digital literacy skills.

“There is an urgent need to ensure that e-learning is accessible to all students, including those with disabilities, and place clear and place clear obligations on all key stakeholders, including higher education institutions, students, and the government, for promoting e-learning.

“Collaborative networks can, thus, help with divesting risk or sharing to advantage, or running a cost-effective development or innovation exercise. Networks can create or tap directly into excellence programmes that develop initiatives or facilitate comparisons of best practices and systems.

“Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (Al), machine learning, and virtual reality (VR) can enhance the e-learning experience by personalising education and providing immersive learning environments,” he said.

According to the keynote speaker, e-learning holds tremendous potential to transform education in Africa by expanding access to quality education, improving learning outcomes, and fostering lifelong learning.

“While significant challenges remain, the successes achieved so far show that with the right strategies, partnerships, and investments, e-learning can play a crucial role in building Africa’s future educational landscape,” he added.

Declaring the event open, Vice-Chancellor of NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, said e-learning is not just a temporary solution but a revolutionary pathway shaping the future of education.

The conference, Prof. Peters said, offers a platform to examine key themes such as personalised learning, artificial intelligence, digital equity, and inclusion in digital development.

He said: “Today marks a significant milestone in harnessing digital innovation for education and sustainable growth in Africa, fostering international communication and development technology.

“We are here to reflect on how digital tools and solutions can transform teaching and learning experiences and explore the broader implications of technology.

“As providers of teaching and learning opportunities, we are at the intersection of tradition and innovation. It is our responsibility to ensure that e-learning solutions not only provide access but also maintain high standards of quality, inclusivity, and sustainability for now and the future.

“It is important to recognise that while technology is a powerful enabler, the vision, passion, and dedication of educators remain central to the learning process.”

Earlier, Director, ACETEL, Prof. Grace Jokthan, said the rapid evolution of global education has significantly accelerated the adoption of digital learning, underscoring the importance of flexible and innovative educational models that can reach learners wherever they are.

The academic said the exhibition will spotlight some of the most ground-breaking innovations in EdTech, drawing from the university’s rich pool of student and faculty research as well as highlight the creative potential within academia and the transformative role of digital technology in education.