Speaker
Description
Abubakar, A.
Adamawa State College of Education Hong
adamua022@gmail.com
Track: Digital Transformation in Higher Education
AUTHOR NAME: ADAMU, AbubakarINSTITUTION: ADAMAWA STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION HONGDEPARTMENT: ECONOMICS EMAIL ADDRESS: adamua022@gmail.comPHONE NUMBER: 07037834392TOPIC: DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS: THE ROLE OF AFRICAN HIGHER EDUCATION.
ABSTRACT
Digital transformation has emerged as a critical driver of sustainable development, reshaping educational systems and creating new opportunities for innovation, inclusion, and socioeconomic progress. In Africa, higher education institutions are increasingly recognized as strategic actors in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the adoption of digital technologies in teaching, learning, research, and institutional management. Despite significant advancements, many African universities continue to face challenges such as inadequate digital infrastructure, limited internet connectivity, insufficient funding, digital skills gaps, and unequal access to technological resources. This paper examines the role of digital transformation in advancing the SDGs within the context of African higher education. Drawing on existing literature and policy frameworks, the study explores how digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, cloud computing, learning management systems, big data analytics, and virtual learning platforms, contribute to improving educational quality, promoting gender equality, reducing inequalities, fostering innovation, and enhancing employability. The paper further analyzes the barriers limiting the effective integration of digital technologies and highlights emerging opportunities for building resilient and future-ready higher education ecosystems. It argues that strategic investments in digital infrastructure, capacity building, policy reforms, and multi-stakeholder partnerships are essential for maximizing the developmental impact of higher education institutions across the continent. The study concludes that a digitally transformed higher education sector is indispensable for accelerating Africa’s progress toward the SDGs and ensuring sustainable, inclusive, and knowledge-driven development in the twenty-first century.
Keywords: Digital Transformation, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Higher Education, Artificial Intelligence, Digital Inclusion.