Acer has announced it is choosing purpose over product as it repositions its strategy to support Kenya’s push for universal digital literacy.
At a recent partner forum in Nairobi, Grigory Nizovsky, Acer’s Vice President for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), announced the company’s move from traditional device sales to deep public sector collaboration. This shift will have education at the core.
“Wherever digitization is happening, especially in education, we want to be part of the solution,” Nizovsky said. “We’re ready to bring integrated, scalable solutions that go beyond hardware.”
This marks a significant move for Acer, aligning itself with the Kenyan government’s ongoing investment in digital learning infrastructure, including the Digital Literacy Programme (DLP), which has already distributed over one million devices to 20,000+ public schools. Gaps still remain in training, infrastructure, and content integration and this is where Acer sees opportunity.
Nizovsky emphasized that Acer is not just looking to sell laptops but to build ecosystems. With that said, the company plans to introduce:
- Locally tailored education solutions
- Teacher training programs
- Flexible financing models for schools and homes
- Partnerships with banks and county governments
- Support for local assembly and customization
“Digital literacy is no longer a luxury, it’s the foundation of economic participation,” said Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Migosi during a recent education summit.
Scalable EdTech
In the 2025/26 national budget, KES 3.2 billion was allocated to the DLP. This makes Kenya the perfect testing ground for cost-effective and scalable EdTech solutions. Education boards have raised concerns about the need to ring-fence funds for instruction rather than administration.
“We’re not just here to sell devices,” Nizovsky reiterated. “We’re here to help build resilient, context-specific digital learning ecosystems that reflect the needs of Kenyan learners and educators.”
Acer’s long-term success will depend on how well it can collaborate with government, educators, and development partners to deliver impact at scale.
If successful, Kenya could become a model for inclusive, tech-driven education across Africa.
Also Read: New Report Calls for Local Solutions to Bridge Africa’s Edtech Gaps
