Blending Tradition into technology, these Ethiopian EdTech Startups are Redefining Learning

In Ethiopia, several EdTech startups blend cultural heritage with technology. These ventures go beyond digitizing lessons they integrate tradition, from age‑old handicrafts to folklore into practical learning tools that forge a new educational path. Among the recipients of the inaugural Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, implemented by Reach for Change, five standout initiatives exemplify this convergence of tradition and technological innovation. 

Muya Space : Preserving Ethiopian Artisanship Through Technology

Co-founded by Hiwot Zelalem and Dawit Gadisa, Muya Space is an EdTech platform reviving traditional Ethiopian crafts through online courses in weaving, pottery, leatherwork, and more. These courses, developed in collaboration with master artisans, are aimed not only at hobbyists but also at local youth seeking employment through skill-building. 

The idea for Muya Space began in late 2022, when Hiwot, then a software engineering student inspired by Ethiopia’s rich tradition of artisanship, dared to teach traditional handicraft skills online. Alongside her classmate Dawit, the duo began by experimenting with Google Meet, eventually offering craft courses they are teaching now. 

After a while, their virtual community grew to hundreds of learners, and they realized that Muya Space could be more than just a platform for hobbies it could create economic opportunities for artisans and open career paths for learners. To achieve this however, they needed a more robust Learning Management System (LMS) and sustainable funding, which they did not have at the time. 

Fortunately, it was at this turning point that the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship came in. Launched by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Reach for Change, the program provides up to $60,000 in equity-free funding, along with incubation and ongoing support. Muya Space was selected as one of 12 ventures in the inaugural cohort.

Since then, Muya Space has expanded its user base to 3,000 and is preparing to launch a full-scale LMS. The platform is set to include video lessons, discussion forums, and a crafts marketplace where students can showcase and sell their handmade work.

Beyond platform development, Muya Space is also forming strategic partnerships to bring its online classes offline, such as its recent collaboration with Kuriftu Resort’s Africa Village.

KoderLab Training Center: Creating Well-rounded Tech Pipeline 

Founded in September 2023 by Hermela Fikre, KoderLab Training Center is a rising EdTech startup based in Addis Ababa. 

Its mission is to build well-rounded young developers by equipping them with coding, digital literacy, and soft skills for the future. 

From day one, KoderLab’s approach emphasizes hands-on learning. Catering to students aged 6–18, the center’s curriculum spans programming languages, web development, robotics, and digital logic. Young learners create real-world projects like websites, games, and robots developing computational thinking, problem-solving, and creativity along the way. 

Beyond technical skills, KoderLab nurtures communication, collaboration, and leadership through coordinated team exercises and presentations. This intentional focus ensures participants are both skilled coders and confident contributors of the future. 

With programs currently running in Addis Ababa and plans to expand to cities such as Bahir Dar, Hawassa, and Nekemte plus a daring ambition to reach learners in Kenya and Uganda KoderLab aims to grow its footprint across East Africa.

The platform’s ambitious plan starts to get a footing a year after its establishment, when it joined the inaugural Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, implemented in partnership with Reach for Change. 

The Fellowship provided equity-free funding of $60,000 along with mentorship, strategic guidance, and resources to scale operation and impact. One year down the line they have gone up from 700 baseline users to 5000 users. 

Fidel Tutorial : Closing the Personalized Learning Gap 

In a country where classroom overcrowding is common and personalized learning is rare, Fidel Tutorial is trying to close the gap by connecting students with qualified tutors for one-on-one or group sessions in academic subjects ranging from math and science to university entrance prep. 

Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Addis Ababa, The platform offers structured video tutorials and academic support tailored to primary, secondary, and university-level learners across a wide range of subject. Students can learn both online and offline using computer, tablet, or mobile, making Fidel accessible even in areas with limited internet connectivity. 

With over 200 instructors and 216+ students already benefited, Fidel Tutorial serves as a bridge between traditional learning gaps and modern, flexible education solutions. 

After joining Mastercard Foundation Edtech Fellowship, it has grown its Tutor tool and also developed Fidel LMS, a versatile learning management system designed to streamline content delivery and automate educational administration across institutions. 

By combining localized content, personalized pacing, and flexible access modes, Fidel Tutorial empowers learners throughout Ethiopia to progress academically on their own terms. 

Their newest feature "adaptive tutoring" uses a diagnostic tool to match students with tutors based on learning style and academic needs. The company has served over 5000 learners through the country. 

Enechawet Games: Turning Ethiopian Folktale into Playful Learning

Founded in 2019 by a group of passionate game enthusiasts Enechawet Games is an Addis Ababa–based game studio. 

The idea first emerged during a casual coffee chat, when the founders envisioned creating a game that would fuse Ethiopia’s cultural heritage with compelling social themes. They soon began developing their debut title, Mamo, which garnered national media attention and quickly became popular after its launch. The success of Mamo marked a turning point, prompting the team to formalize their operations and structure Enechawet Games as a PLC. In Mamo, players follow a child’s mission to deliver medicine to the king’s daughter, weaving Folktale into interactive gaming adventure. 

In May 2024, Enechawet Games launched Liku, an agriculture-themed educational game developed in partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture and GIZ Ethiopia. In Liku, players take on the role of conservation heroes working to save Bego Village from soil erosion by applying real-world techniques. The studio has also Guzo Geez, which teaches the Geez number system through playful challenges. To date Enechawet has reportedly developed over ten games, enhancing its reputation as a creative force in educational gaming.

More recently, Enechawet Games has further expanded its portfolio by developing Yefidelat Ashenafi, an educational mobile game complemented by AR educational books designed to help young learners and beginners master the Amharic alphabet. Available in five languages Amharic, English, French, Somali, and Afaan Oromo the experience blends gamified elements with personalized learning.

Though the idea had been brewing for a while, Yefidelat Ashenafi gained momentum and became a reality when Enechawet Games was selected as one of 12 Ethiopian EdTech startups in the inaugural Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship.

Since its launch under the EdTech Fellowship, the platform’s user base has surged from approximately 3,000 to 50,000 users, marking a stunning 1,566.7% growth in its reach and educational impact.

Dynamo Center for Technology, Building Ethiopia’s STEM Future from Jimma 

Founded by two childhood friends Abdurahman Shemsedin and Samuel Teshome, Dynamo Center for Technology emerged onto Ethiopia’s startup scene by delivering robotics, hardware coding, and practical STEM education in Afaan Oromo from the  town of Jimma.

Established in the pre-COVID-19 era, Dynamo was inspired by the founders’ university experience. They initially started in-person STEM training to share skills they learned through their engineering studies. The center delivers training to young elementary and high school students both at the center and at different schools in Jimma.

Starting with robotics classes in Afaan Oromoo, Dynamo has since expanded into short-term courses in graphic design, programming, web development, and tailored consultancy for final-year students. They also rent high-performance lab equipment to help fellow students execute engineering projects when access is limited.  

Though, their in-person training, a prominent option for STEM students in Jimma, helped them win the "Startupper of the Year" title in 2022. They reached a major milestone a year ago when Dynamo was selected as one of the first 12 Edtech’s in Ethiopia to join the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship. This secured them $60,000 in equity-free funding and ongoing mentorship, which enabled them to transition their offline STEM experience into a fully-fledged ed-tech offering. 

Now, with a mobile app, a learning management system (LMS), and a YouTube channel, they are expanding their reach. Their online learning platform for K-12 students includes engaging, gamified lessons, captivating animations, and personalized learning experiences. It is mainly focused on Jimma and other Oromo-speaking parts of the country. while their online user base has grown from just over 100 to 20,000 in less than a year.