The Role of Inclusive Educational Technologies in Transforming African Cities into Inclusive Smart Cities

¹ University of Yaounde 1 H.T.T.C. – Higher Teacher Training College Department of Computer and Educational Technology, university of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
² Laboratory of Computer Science and Educational Technologies (LITE), University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
³ Center of Urban Systems (CUS), Mohamed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), Lot 660, Hay Moulay Rachid, 43150, Benguerir, Morocco.

^* e-mail: eric.kameni@univ-yaounde1.cm
^** e-mail: ctekouaboukoumetio@gmail.com

Abstract

Inclusive smart cities aim to create a more equitable and accessible urban environment for all citizens, including people with disabilities, low-income individuals, and marginalized communities. This concept involves using technology and data to improve urban services and infrastructure while ensuring that everyone can benefit from these advances. The observation is that nowadays, in the majority of African countries, the city’s transformation into a smart city only concerns a small portion of the population, those in the metropolises who have skills and access to technological tools. Those in rural areas or precarious urban quarters that are not business centres are simply excluded or ignored from the process, perhaps because they do not have the skills or access to emerging technological tools due to their geographical location. Smart education and therefore educational technologies are among the most sensitive in this context. Therefore, Inclusive educational technology can play a significant role in this case by providing access to education and training for all citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic status or physical abilities. It ensures that everyone has access to the skills and knowledge needed to participate in the digital economy and benefit from the opportunities it offers. This work identifies the roles that inclusive educational technologies can play in transforming cities into inclusive smart cities.