Stakeholders at the Digital Higher Education Africa (DHEA) Summit 2025 have called on African governments to urgently invest in digital transformation across universities to address declining access, outdated curricula, and poor infrastructure in the continent’s higher education sector.

The two-day summit, which was held at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, brought together policymakers, EdTech innovators, university administrators, and development partners to advance solutions aligned with the African Union’s Digital Education Strategy.

Chief Executive Officer of Argyle IT & Education, Opeyemi Ibukun, who spoke at the event, said the summit was borne out of the need to stop repeating known problems and start driving sustainable solutions that improve access and quality.

Ibukun, while stressing the need for funding models that include corporate partnerships, alumni support, and investment-ready proposals from institutions, also called on the governments to mandate the adoption of digital learning management systems (LMS) and use them as a performance metric for universities.

In her keynote address, Head of Education at the African Union Commission, Sophia Ashipala, decried the continent’s low digital enrolment in higher education, which stands at under 12 per cent, compared to the global average of 85 per cent.

She noted that while the COVID-19 pandemic exposed Africa’s vulnerabilities, it also accelerated experimentation with digital learning, as many universities were forced to transition to online platforms despite connectivity gaps and limited preparedness.

According to her, this presents a pivotal moment to build resilience through expanded infrastructure, digital literacy, and curriculum innovation tailored to Africa’s development priorities.

Ashipala emphasised the need for curriculum reform to align with global shifts, prioritising STEM, green skills, Africa-centred knowledge, and lifelong learning. She also called for greater academic mobility, harmonised qualification frameworks, and a stronger research ecosystem that solves African problems and drives sustainable development.

Vice-Chancellor of Ekiti State University, Prof. Joseph Ayodele, who also spoke at the summit, said most Nigerian universities are still struggling to transition from analogue systems to digital platforms due to limited capacity and outdated structures.

Ayodele urged university leadership to embrace technology not only in teaching and research but also across all levels of administration and global collaboration, noting that digital adoption would enhance institutional efficiency and visibility.