TZ’s Ubongo Kids wins Sh60 million in global tech competition for education
Ubongo chief business officer Doreen Kessy (middle) is all smiles after her organisation emerged winner in a global tech competition for education. She is flanked by top three finalists to receive the award at a ceremony held in Dubai early in the week. PHOTO | COURTESY
What you need to know:
- Tanzanian creation that uses animation for education has won a global award ‘Next Billion’ Edtech in Dubai after defeating 30 of the selected groups.
Dar es Salaam. Ubongo, a Tanzanian creation that uses animation for education has won in a global competition, Next Billion Edtech, in Dubai. The prize is run by The Varkey Foundation to recognise the most innovative technology destined to have a radical impact on education in low income and emerging world countries.
Ubongo creates fun, localised and multi-platform educational media that reaches millions of families through accessible technologies. It emerged top out of 30 startups that were selected to pitch for the Next Billion Edtech Prize, which focused on low income and emerging economies.
It was voted for by delegates at The Global Education and Skills Forum (GESF) 2019 from three startup finalists which included PraxiLabs (Egypt), and Dost (India). All three winners were awarded $25,000.
According to the competition’s judges, Ubongo leverages the power of entertainment, the reach of mass media, and the connectivity of mobile devices, to deliver effective, localised learning to African families at low cost and massive scale. Its family-friendly content promotes literacy and education in resource-poor areas. Through learning at home and in the family through a variety of channels, from online to radio and TV - multi-channel players, cartoons are a central part of its story telling approach.
“It was clear to the judges that emerging market Edtech is going to be one of the hottest tech sectors in the world over the next few years. The majority of the startups we saw during the competition clearly have enormous potential, it’s clear the new wave of Edtech is about to hit its stride. It’s fantastic that GESF is throwing the spotlight on this exciting sector.” Said one judge, Mike Butcher in a statement released to the media on Friday March 29.
For her part, Ubongo chief business officer Doreen Kessy said, “We’re delighted to have won the Next Billion Prize. We’re already having an impact reaching children but this award will mean we can do so much more. By 2022 we plan to reach 30 million children in Africa and our ultimate goal is to reach 440 million – every child in Africa.”
Varkey Foundation and the Next Billion Prize founder Sunny Varkey, said that over a billion young people are being denied what should be the birthright of every single child in the 21st century: a good education that allows them to make the most of their God-given talents.
