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By Drey Njau
iHUB Kenya successfully concluded the acceleration of Cohort 3 of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship with a Demo Day, marking a major milestone in strengthening EdTech across the country, contributing to a more inclusive, technology-driven, and accessible education ecosystem. Twelve EdTech startups, 75 percent led by women founders, highlighted shared commitment to gender equity and inclusive innovation in education.
Held during iHUB’s EdTech Impact Week in Nairobi, the Demo Day brought together educators, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem partners to explore how localized EdTech solutions are transforming teaching and learning experiences in Kenya. Over eight months, the startups have, in parallel with the acceleration, implemented technology-driven tools in classrooms and communities, helping schools personalize learning, enhance teacher effectiveness, and expand access for learners in low-connectivity and under-resourced areas.
“We’re incredibly proud to witness how this Demo Day brings inclusive innovation to life,” said Nissi Madu, Managing Partner at iHUB “At the heart of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is a commitment to ensure that every learner, especially those in underserved communities, can access technology-enabled learning that opens doors to opportunity and equips them with the skills to shape their future. We’re inspired by this cohort’s dedication; they’ve worked tirelessly to refine their solutions, co-design with their users, and ensure their products meet real learning needs. Through the Fellowship, we’re seeing a new generation of African innovators redefining what equitable and impactful education can look like. As we move into the post-program phase, we’re excited to continue supporting these startups as they scale their solutions to reach millions of learners and drive lasting improvements in learning outcomes across Kenya.”
Since its inception, the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, implemented by iHUB, has supported 36 EdTech companies that have collectively reached over 580,000 learners, empowered over 8,800 educators, and engaged 2,000 schools across Kenya. Notably, the startups have extended access to 2,000 learners with hearing and visual disabilities, illustrating how inclusive innovation can close long-standing gaps in the education ecosystem.
“Being part of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship has strengthened our ability to reach and support learners in marginalized communities. The mentorship and hands-on advisory helped us refine our product’s accessibility features and deepen our understanding of the linguistic needs of early learners. As a result, more children can now access mother-tongue learning content that reflects their realities and improves comprehension. The Fellowship has not only accelerated our growth as a company but has directly enhanced the impact we can deliver to learners across Kenya and beyond,” said Abdinoor Alimahdi, co-founder and CEO of M-lugha, on the impact from the Fellowship.
Rhoda Kingori, co-founder & COO of Zydii and another fellow from cohort 3, added that the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship has fundamentally strengthened how Zydii supports learners and workers across Kenya. Through the Fellowship’s product and go-to-market advisory, we enhanced our mobile-first digital training experience on WhatsApp, making it easier for young people, especially those with limited connectivity, to access practical, localized skills content. We also developed new user pathways that allow learners to test content before committing, ensuring they can immediately experience value and choose the courses that best support their growth. As a result, we are now reaching more learners with relevant, affordable skills training, including those with disabilities.”
The 2025 cohort—AHA Innovate, Cloud School System, Digifunzi, Digiskool, Dignitas, Elimu Shop, iFunza, Infoney Solutions, M-Lugha, Nyansapo AI, Verb Education, and Zydii—represent the next frontier of EdTech innovation in Kenya. From AI-powered adaptive learning platforms that tailor lessons to individual student needs to solar-powered offline classrooms that enable learning in regions without reliable internet connectivity, each solution addresses a critical barrier in access to education, proving that when technology is localized and inclusive, it can be transformative.
This impact builds on a growing ecosystem of change-makers that the Mastercard Foundation and iHUB have nurtured since 2023. To support the distribution of the EdTech startups’ content, ensure the solutions align with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) framework. As part of this commitment, iHUB has developed the iHUB’s EdTech Toolkit for KICD Alignment, which is a practical, structured guide that helps startups navigate the approval process with clarity and confidence. This ensures their solutions integrate seamlessly into national education systems and deliver lasting, scalable impact.
Over the next year, iHUB will continue to support Cohort 3 startups through post-program advisory, mentorship, and access to capital, helping them scale sustainably and strengthen their impact. This ongoing partnership between iHUB and the Mastercard Foundation reaffirms their shared vision: to make learning across Africa inclusive, technology-driven, and future-ready.
The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship was born out of a need to build and strengthen Africa’s EdTech ecosystem and to increase access to inclusive, relevant education beyond the classroom. The Fellowship supports African innovators looking to solve the continent’s education challenges through affordable, technology-enabled learning for all, especially young people, including learners with disabilities and those in refugee and displaced persons settlements, as well as young people in marginalized communities. Beyond Kenya, the Fellowship is being implemented in eleven other countries in Africa.
To explore the full list of EdTech startups and their impact stories, visit the Future of Learning website at https://futureoflearning.ihub.co.ke/
