Welcome to the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE)
The African Council for Distance Education (ACDE) is a continental educational organization comprising African universities and other higher education institutions, which are committed to expanding access to quality education and training through Open and Distance Learning (ODL), including e-learning. It is registered under the laws of Kenya as an International educational nonprofit making organization, and has its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
Our Vision
The vision of ACDE is to become a major player in the promotion and advocacy for ODL including e-Learning.
Our Mission
Promote collaboration, research, and quality assurance in ODL, including e-Learning, to increase access to quality education and training in Africa.
Welcome Message from the President
Welcome to the official website of the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE). It is my great pleasure to introduce you to an organisation that, for over two decades, has been at the forefront of transforming higher education in Africa through quality, access, innovation, and collaboration in Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL).
ACDE has made remarkable progress in strengthening the credibility, visibility, and effectiveness of distance and online learning across the continent. Our pioneering Quality Assurance and Accreditation Toolkit, now widely adopted by universities and ODeL providers, has set a continental benchmark for excellence and continues to inspire global recognition. Through research partnerships, capacity-building programmes, and our flagship Triennial Conferences, we bring together scholars, practitioners, regulators, and policymakers to shape the future of flexible learning in Africa.
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Our work is anchored in strong partnerships with national governments, regulatory agencies, regional bodies, and international organisations. Together, we advocate for enabling policies, expanded digital learning ecosystems, and inclusive education pathways that harness the power of technology to improve teaching, learning, and lifelong opportunity for all.
As you navigate this platform, I encourage you to connect with our initiatives, explore our resources, and join the growing community committed to advancing a resilient, future-ready, and globally competitive ODeL landscape for Africa.
Thank you for being part of this transformative journey.
Prof. Solomon Shibairo,
President, African Council for Distance Education
Vice-Chancellor, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology
Welcome Message from the Secretary-General
Welcome to the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE), a continental organisation dedicated to strengthening the quality, reach, and impact of Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL) across Africa. It is a privilege to welcome you to this platform, where our shared commitment to accessible, flexible, and technology-enabled education continues to shape Africa’s higher education landscape.
For more than twenty years, ACDE has championed the transformation of learning systems promoting excellence through capacity building, research, policy advocacy, and institutional collaboration. As Secretary-General, I am proud to support the coordination of these efforts, working closely with our member institutions and partners to accelerate the adoption of innovative and inclusive ODeL approaches.
Through key initiatives such as the Quality Assurance and Accreditation Toolkit, Professional Development Programmes, and our Triennial Conferences, ACDE provides leadership and practical solutions that empower universities and regulators to enhance learning outcomes, expand digital infrastructure, and strengthen institutional resilience.
Our partnerships with governments, regional bodies, global organisations, and higher education institutions remain central to driving policy reforms and advancing a continental vision where every learner has equitable access to high-quality education, regardless of location or circumstance.
As you explore this website, I invite you to engage with our programmes, access our growing knowledge resources, and join us in building a vibrant, responsive, and future-focused ODeL ecosystem for Africa.
Thank you for your interest and commitment to the advancement of distance education on our continent.
Prof. Paul K. Wainaina Secretary General, African Council for Distance Education Vice-Chancellor, Kenyatta University
Welcome Message from the Executive Director
Welcome to the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE). I am delighted to welcome you to this platform, which serves as a gateway to ACDE’s transformative work in advancing Open, Distance, and e-Learning (ODeL) across Africa. As the Executive Director, I have the privilege of coordinating the Council’s programmes, partnerships, and strategic initiatives that continue to shape the future of flexible learning on our continent.
For over two decades, ACDE has been a key driver of innovation, quality, and access in higher education. Our mission is to strengthen institutions, empower educators, and support learners through robust quality assurance frameworks, research-driven insights, and collaborative capacity-building initiatives. Through our flagship Quality Assurance and Accreditation Toolkit, extensive professional development programmes, and dynamic Triennial Conferences, ACDE is building a cohesive and future-ready ODeL ecosystem that responds to Africa’s diverse educational needs.
At the heart of our work is a strong network of universities, governments, regulatory agencies, and global partners who share our commitment to inclusive, technology-enabled learning. Together, we advocate for policies and investments that expand digital infrastructure, enhance teaching and learning environments, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all Africans.
As you explore this website, I invite you to discover our initiatives, engage with our knowledge resources, and become part of the continental community driving the next generation of distance and online education.
Thank you for your continued interest and commitment to strengthening ODeL in Africa.
Professor Teresa Mwoma
Executive Director, African Council for Distance Education (ACDE)
Our Programmes
ACDE Technical Committee on Collaboration (ACDE-QAAA)
ACDE Advocacy, Knowledge Generation and Dissemination (ACDE – AKGD)
ACDE Information Communication and Technology (ACDE – ICT)
ACDE Technical Committee on Collaboration (ACDE-TCC)
Our Members
Being an ACDE members provides an opportunity for institutions and individuals to join other Vice Chancellors, Rectors, academicians, researchers, policy makers and ODL practitioners from other universities and higher education institutions on the African continent.
Our Impact
Year of Establishment
Years of Existence
No. of Total Members (Institutional & Individuals)
Country Members
Programmes
No. of Individuals
Institutional Members
ODL Resources
Browse and search for information leading to knowledge creation and application by distance education practitioners.
Connect with Colleagues
Explore the open and distance education community and its many projects, or learn how you can participate.
News and Highlights
Our News and Highlights section will soon bring you updates, stories, and key moments from across the community. Coming soon.