Founding Story
In many West African classrooms, a silent barrier undermines learning: language. English remains the primary medium of instruction, yet countless students are first introduced to it only in school. Their comprehension often lags far behind the language demands of textbooks and examinations, creating a cycle of rote memorization and shallow understanding.
In 2020, our journey began with Vidya, an EdTech app built to help students prepare for the WASSCE examinations. Initially, our focus was on improving test readiness. But as we worked more closely with students, we uncovered a deeper issue most were not ready for the exams because they had never mastered the foundational concepts. Their struggle wasn’t just about study habits; it was about language and cognition. We realized that no amount of exam preparation could compensate for a learning system that failed to meet students at their true level of understanding.
To make any meaningful impact, we needed to design technology that could adapt learning materials to each student’s comprehension level, an immense challenge for a small, unfunded team. Progress was slow until the rise of large language models in 2022 and 2023. These breakthroughs suddenly made it possible to fine-tune powerful AI models for localized learning. Yet even with these tools, we faced a sobering truth: we could not design adaptive systems without first understanding how learning itself works. We lacked the scientific foundation, the knowledge of how cognition, memory, and motivation interact in real learning contexts.
That realization gave birth to ERI Foundry. What began as a technical experiment evolved into a research-driven mission to study the science of learning and build technologies rooted in that understanding.
At ERI Foundry, we aspire to bring together cognitive scientists, educators, and technologists to bridge research and engineering, working toward adaptive, culturally grounded, and equitable models of learning for Africa. This vision continues to guide our efforts and collaborations as we grow.
We exist to ensure that technology in education serves not as a substitute for teaching, but as a scientifically informed partner in learning. Our journey continues: transforming how Africa learns through evidence, empathy, and innovation.
