Are emerging markets the promised land for EdTech?

María Jesús Ncara Owono, Equatorial Guinea’s Education Delegate, defines digital education as helping to put the learner at the centre of the education sector. An education sector that, she says, is fundamental for the development of human capital in any nation, as it allows innovation and creativity to be developed. Valtencir Maldonado Mendes, UNESCO, reaffirms this idea and reiterates that emerging markets and businesses cannot be achieved without a quality and secure education system. In addition, Sofía Fernández de Mesa, CEO of Profuturo, reminds us that no one should be left behind in this digital revolution towards development so as to close many of the existing gaps, especially in developing countries. A digital divide that, as Andrew Cunningham, Global Education Advisor at the Aga Khan Foundation, explains, is not only about access to the necessary technological tools, but also a divide marked by a lack of digital skills. Rosalía Arteaga, former president of Ecuador, added to the panel’s reflections on the importance of training teachers to be able to offer quality digital education; and Maysa Jalbout, CEO of Abdulla Al Ghurair Foundation for Education, highlighted the importance of combining online education with experience to achieve employability.