Ekima

Ekima Interactive Company Limited

Ekima

We deliver offline-first, interactive videos, 2D/3D and AR/VR learning tools to bridge the 80% quality education gap for underserved African learners.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

TZA

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

Ekima addresses Tanzania's educational quality gap, where 80% of students lack access to high-quality, practical STEM education. This deficiency stems from three critical factors: - First, severe infrastructure limitations plague schools, with only 24% having functional science laboratories. Traditional labs cost approximately $50,000 to establish and maintain, creating an insurmountable financial barrier for most institutions. - Second, the national student-to-teacher ratio stands at 52:1 (compared to UNESCO's recommended 25:1), making personalized instruction nearly impossible in conventional classroom settings. - Third, the implementation of Tanzania's Competence-Based Curriculum (CBC) faces significant challenges due to insufficient teaching resources and training. Very few teachers report adequate materials to effectively deliver the CBC's practical approach. These challenges mirror broader educational gaps across Africa, where UNESCO reports 89% of students lack minimum proficiency in science and mathematics. Our extensive field research across four Tanzanian regions confirms these statistics, with 78% of surveyed teachers identifying practical STEM resources as their most critical need for effective teaching.

Ekima's interactive learning platform transforms STEM education through a comprehensive digital ecosystem accessible both online and offline. Our solution comprises three integrated components: - First, our core platform delivers curriculum-aligned multimedia learning resources, including interactive videos, 2D/3D animations, and digital assessments. Content is to be accessible via the web interface or dedicated mobile applications. - Second, our virtual laboratory system provides affordable alternatives to world-class physical labs through immersive 3D simulations of scientific experiments. Students conduct virtual experiments, manipulate variables, and observe outcomes in a risk-free environment that mirrors real laboratory experiences. - Third, our AI-powered assessment engine tracks student progress, identifies knowledge gaps, and delivers personalized learning recommendations, enabling teachers to provide targeted support. The entire system operates on our proprietary cloud infrastructure with robust offline functionality through downloadable content packages, ensuring accessibility even in areas with limited connectivity. Each component is designed with intuitive interfaces requiring minimal technical expertise from teachers or students.

Ekima is targeting to serve Tanzania's 14.2 million primary and secondary students and 298,000 teachers, with particular focus on three underserved groups: - First, students in resource-constrained schools who lack access to practical STEM learning. Our solution transforms abstract concepts into tangible experiences through virtual labs, enabling them to develop critical scientific skills despite infrastructure limitations. - Second, teachers are struggling to implement the Competence-Based Curriculum without adequate resources. Our platform provides almost all of the practical demonstrations required by the CBC, reducing preparation time and enabling educators to focus on personalised instruction rather than resource creation. - Third, rural and peri-urban students with limited or inconsistent internet access. Our offline functionality ensures these learners receive the same high-quality education as their urban counterparts.