In a bold move to boost English fluency among educators and learners, Efekta Education Group, in collaboration with Pharo Foundation, has launched a large-scale English proficiency programme targeting secondary school teachers and students across Somaliland, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Kenya. The initiative, announced on 28 November 2025, aims to expand access to high-quality English education through an AI-powered learning platform.
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AI meets education: Why Efekta decided to act
Efekta has built its reputation on delivering language learning at scale using technology: its AI-driven English learning platform has already reached millions of users globally.
Working with Pharo Foundation — an organisation dedicated to fostering economic development through education and social programmes in Africa — Efekta hopes to address a pressing gap: many secondary school students on the continent complete their studies without the English skills needed for tertiary education or to compete effectively in a globalised labour market.
Officials say this is not just about language: it is about enhancing employability, access to higher learning, and social mobility across the region.
How the programme works: Phased rollout and what to expect
The training will begin in phases. In December 2025, all primary and secondary school teachers at Pharo-affiliated schools in the four participating countries will gain access to Efekta’s online learning platform. This is intended to give them the language and communication tools they need to deliver high-quality English instruction.
In early 2026, the initiative will expand to include secondary school students in Somaliland and Ethiopia under Pharo’s network, enabling both teachers and learners to benefit.
Efekta’s platform offers personalised learning paths, AI-guided tutors, real-time feedback, spoken-language assessment, and adaptive support based on each user’s strengths and needs. The system’s design allows for scalable, cost-effective delivery — roughly equating to the cost of one textbook per student per year.
From previous success to a new African vision
Efekta and Pharo intend for this project to serve as a continental blueprint for transforming education via technology. The decision builds on evidence from past successes. For instance, in a Brazilian deployment covering millions of learners, students improved their state English exam results by about 32.5 per cent within two years of combined teacher and student training through Efekta’s system.
Proponents argue that when both teachers and students learn together, there’s a multiplier effect: classrooms thrive, instruction quality improves, and student outcomes increase — making the approach a powerful tool for large-scale education reform.
With rising demand for English proficiency across Africa, especially where English is the medium for tertiary education or international work, this initiative could mark a turning point for many youths.
What this means for Africa’s future
For young people across Somaliland, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Kenya, the prospect of gaining strong English skills promises improved access to higher education, expanded employment opportunities, and more agency in a connected world.
For educators, the training means better command of language and tools — enabling them to offer improved instruction, help close learning gaps, and support students more effectively.
At a broader level, this partnership sets the stage for a new model: one where technology and pedagogy converge to deliver sustainable, scalable, and accessible education across borders.
If successful, the programme could become a replicable blueprint for other education stakeholders across Africa.
In a continent where language proficiency often limits opportunity, this investment in English learning — powered by AI — might be one of the more impactful efforts yet to expand educational access and build human capital at scale.
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