In Africa, context is all-important. No-one can afford to ignore it. It is a vital factor in decisions affecting investment, job-creation and development.

Africa is a continent, not a single country - a fact many outsiders forget. It has 54 countries and 5 time zones. Political conditions vary and, although growth rates have been rising across Africa, individual economies differ widely in both their performance and prospects. Whilst urbanisation is taking hold, communities still cling proudly to their rural traditions and most Africans, especially women, are still employed in agriculture. Across the continent, as many as 3,000 different languages are spoken, with 500 in Nigeria alone.

So, in education and training, an understanding of context is essential. As new communication technologies extend the reach of opportunity, it is vital for educators, policy makers, partners and investors to take account of the local context and conditions.

So what are the main contextual and cultural considerations affecting the development of new opportunities through technology supported learning? How can we localise content to maximise opportunity? How should we apply or adapt technology to meet local conditions and needs?

Above all, in an Africa that is changing rapidly, how can we maintain and safeguard our connection to tradition and context?