Aligning policy and practice: The World Bank’s approach to EdTech in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

This study uses a case study approach to examine the World Bank’s policy prescriptions and funding of ICT in education from 2011 to 2022. Through document analysis of the Bank’s research, formal policy documents, and its portfolio of projects in K-12 education in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the findings reveal a shift in the Bank’s educational technology (EdTech) strategies. Prior to the pandemic, the Bank’s EdTech policies and projects centered on system-level solutions: focusing on infrastructure, management, and monitoring, particularly in low-income countries. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Bank shifted its focus to instructional solutions, emphasizing curriculum development, pedagogy, and equity, promoting “multimodality,” defined as the use of diverse ICT tools to support remote learning. While the pandemic has led to greater alignment between policy advice and investments in SSA, the long-term sustainability and equitable distribution of these investments remain uncertain. Further studies should assess the enduring impacts of the Bank’s EdTech approach on borrowing countries and further explore how the Bank’s EdTech strategies compare to other international organizations, as well as the role of civil society and private technology firms in shaping a more inclusive educational landscape. Moreover, emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain, present new opportunities. Investigating how these technologies could enhance educational equity, efficiency, and innovation within the World Bank’s evolving EdTech framework will be vital for shaping sustainable, future-oriented policy recommendations.