The Middle East and Africa’s EdTech and smart classroom market is expected to grow to $7.1 billion by 2027

According to a recent analysis, the Middle East and Africa's education technology and smart classroom industry is expected to reach Dh26 billion ($7.1 billion) by 2027 as the Covid-19 pandemic accelerates the move to digital education. The growing use of smartphones, interactive technology, and other digital learning tools in classrooms is a key driver of this rise, according to a report by global market research firm ReportLinker.

When schools were closed to limit the spread of the pandemic, the EdTech industry played a critical role in guaranteeing the continuity of education. According to market research firm Metaari, global investment in EdTech businesses reached a record $36.3 billion last year, up from $18.6 billion in 2019.

Last year, emerging markets grabbed the lion's share of investments in EdTech start-ups, with India outpacing the United States in terms of money invested. According to Dubai-based venture capital firm Global Ventures, despite the fact that just $30 million was invested in EdTech startups in the Middle East and North Africa area in 2020, the amount of investment is expected to rise steadily from a low foundation.

According to Mr Thompson, citing the ReportLinker research, the MEA region has a comprehensive start-up program that is developing EdTech solutions that integrate technological innovation such as augmented reality, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, robotics, and blockchain to provide interactive and engaging teaching and learning experiences in classrooms or at home. According to the survey, AR and VR are expected to be the major revenue contributors to the education industry in the next few years as a huge number of start-ups getting substantial venture capital financing enter this space.

Ezrobot, a robotics platform based in Canada which is looking to expand its business in the Middle East attended the GESS Dubai conference. Dennis Kambeitz, CEO of ezrobot stated that they are eager to assist instructors in learning how to significantly enhance participation in robotics, coding, and AI instruction. Many schools who have followed their ideas have witnessed an increase in enrollment in their robotics programmes of up to 1,000 percent.

Meanwhile, At the event, Abu Dhabi-based EdTech company Alef Education displayed its AI-powered Alef Platform, which has been adopted by the UAE Ministry of Education for usage in all public schools in the UAE. Alef Education CEO Geoffrey Alphonso stated that the digital learning tools will make education more accessible and minimise future learning losses as they prepare for future catastrophes that may disrupt the global education industry, such as the present Covid-19 epidemic.