African leaders were called to invest in EdTech, digital equity and infrastructure as the means of advancing education and innovation in Africa and the world and to merge the continent as an economic growth driver.

The African leaders and policymakers have been urged to enhance education and digital economy policies that emphasize digital equity and promote homegrown EdTech innovation.

Theophilus Aku Ugah, the vice chancellor of Highstone Global University (HGU) Texas, made the call during the 8th convocation lecture in Lagos. Speaking on the theme The Digital Renaissance: Reimagining Education and Economy in Africa, he insisted that Africa will miss out on the global economy unless it deliberately invests in digital infrastructure and local technologies.

Ugah added that digital equity is not a luxury but a must and urged stakeholders to forget the old models and think in a more innovative way. He pointed at the role of EdTech services provided by technologies such as Nigeria's uLesson, which provides mobile-based learning to millions of learners across Africa.

The professor also emphasized the revolutionary impact of artificial intelligence in developing customized learning processes and AI chats that can tutor in local languages. According to him, Africa is experiencing a silent yet strong EdTech revolution as the penetration of mobile internet increases.

Harriet Chimezie Onyemeforo, the African representative of HGU, noted that universities in the region need to work more on practical skills to make graduates more ready to face real life. HGU president Maurice Azubuike Odiete affirmed the efforts of offering affordable, accessible, and quality online education.

Ugah signed off by encouraging graduates to work as innovators, policymakers, and mentors and spearhead Africa's EdTech revolution in pursuing inclusive growth and digital transformation.