Learn Up Ethiopia (LUE)

KEMMCOM Media and Communications

Learn Up Ethiopia (LUE)

LUE is an offline-ready, inclusive platform that equips Ethiopians with digital skills and links them to opportunities in the digital economy

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

ETH

For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models

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Ethiopia’s education system is currently facing challenges both in quality and inclusivity. According to the ministry of education, only 5.4% of grade 12 students were able to pass national exams and join universities in 2024. This highlights systemic issues both in teaching effectiveness and curriculum delivery. The problem is even more pronounced for students with disabilities and students in conflict-affected areas. Out of the estimated 5 million children in Ethiopia, researchers say only 7.3 were enrolled in schools. Students in conflict-affected regions are disproportionately impacted, experiencing frequent disruptions and underperformance. Though national exam data specific to students with disabilities is limited, it is widely recognised that their learning outcomes are significantly worse due to limited access to adapted learning materials, trained teachers, and digital tools. The lack of accessible, quality education for disabled learners, especially at the secondary level, continues to widen the opportunity gap and restricts their participation in Ethiopia’s growing digital economy. An urgent, inclusive solution is needed to equip these learners with digital skills and pathways to economic empowerment.

Learn Up Ethiopia ensures no one is left behind in Ethiopia’s rapidly growing digital economy. As the country implements its Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy to build a knowledge-based and inclusive economy, millions of youth are being positioned for roles in IT services, digital agriculture, and entrepreneurship. Yet, without deliberate inclusion, youth with disabilities and those in conflict-affected areas risk being excluded from these opportunities. Learn Up Ethiopia fills this gap with a disability-inclusive, offline-capable digital learning platform tailored to underserved learners. It delivers self-paced modules on digital literacy, remote work, and entrepreneurship skills directly aligned with national digital economy priorities. Accessibility features such as Ethiopian Sign Language, screen reader support, keyboard navigation, and offline access make the platform usable for learners with disabilities and limited connectivity. By equipping marginalised youth with the skills to engage in Ethiopia’s projected ETB 1.3 trillion digital economy by 2028, we drive inclusive economic participation. With over one million new jobs expected by 2028, our solution ensures these opportunities are accessible to all. The platform supports Digital Ethiopia 2025’s goals of economic diversification, digital inclusion, and skills development, addressing structural barriers that hold back those most at risk of being left out.

While our solution aims to serve high school students across Ethiopia, we focus on learners in low-connectivity and conflict-affected regions such as Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, and underserved communities within Addis Ababa. These areas face major educational barriers due to conflict, displacement, limited digital infrastructure, and socio-economic challenges. Among the most affected are students with disabilities, who face additional exclusion due to the lack of inclusive educational tools and accessible technologies. Our solution addresses these challenges through an offline-accessible digital learning platform offering curriculum-aligned, self-paced content tailored to local realities. The platform functions without consistent internet and can be accessed through devices already available in schools or homes. Features like Ethiopian Sign Language videos, screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and local language support ensure full participation for students with disabilities. Though our platform is digital, we also plan to support those without access to devices through in-person training in schools and by partnering with CSOs that serve communities with diverse needs. This programme empowers marginalised students by providing access to essential digital skills, enabling them to participate in the digital economy. It promotes equity, supports personal development, and opens doors for youth often left behind by traditional education systems.