In a move set to reshape the future of online education in Africa, OneConnect, a leading provider of innovative technology solutions for the education sector, has announced a strategic partnership with SMOWL, the globally recognised online exam proctoring platform developed by Smowltech.
This collaboration aims to deliver advanced, scalable, sustainable, and accessible online assessment solutions to schools, universities, and training providers across the continent.
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With the surge in digital learning and remote assessments accelerated by global trends, African educational institutions face unique challenges, including connectivity limitations, access to modern devices, and the need to maintain academic integrity in online environments.
Through this partnership, OneConnect will provide SMOWL’s full suite of proctoring tools, recognised for their ease of integration, adaptability in low-bandwidth contexts, and dedication to safeguarding student privacy.
Transforming online assessments in Africa
SMOWL stands out in the global EdTech market for its ability to integrate seamlessly with leading Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas, and others.
This integration allows institutions to conduct secure online examinations without disrupting existing workflows, ensuring educators can maintain efficiency while students experience minimal friction in their assessments.
Beyond integration, SMOWL leverages AI-powered monitoring and robust security protocols to ensure fairness and reliability. Privacy compliance and multi-device compatibility further strengthen its appeal, allowing institutions to conduct assessments that are both accessible and secure.
Motsei Mothoagae, Managing Executive at OneConnect Education, highlighted the strategic significance of the partnership:
“Our mission at OneConnect has always been to empower African institutions with world-class technology. Partnering with SMOWL gives our clients access to a proctoring solution that is not only technologically advanced but also inclusive, addressing the unique infrastructure and connectivity challenges faced across the continent.”
Global expertise, local adaptation
SMOWL has been adopted by over 250 institutions worldwide, demonstrating its effectiveness in diverse educational contexts.
A notable example is Amref International University (AMIU), where SMOWL’s low-bandwidth compatibility and support for legacy devices enabled the institution to conduct reliable online exams for learners who previously faced technological barriers.
Geoffrey Ng’ang’a – ICT Manager at AMIU – noted that SMOWL’s capability to operate effectively under these conditions “has been a game-changer”.
Smowltech’s proven success, when combined with OneConnect’s deep understanding of the African educational landscape, creates a powerful synergy.
The partnership is positioned to bridge significant gaps in digital learning assessment, enhance academic integrity, and make online learning more credible and scalable for institutions in Africa.
Empowering institutions and learners
The OneConnect–SMOWL collaboration goes beyond simply providing technology; it is designed to enable institutions to fully harness the potential of online proctoring in their educational environments.
By adopting Smowltech’s proctoring solution, institutions gain access to tools that ensure exams are secure, transparent, and fair, with SMOWL providing the evidence but leaving all academic decisions to the institutions.
Moreover, the partnership improves accessibility. SMOWL’s adaptable platform ensures that even learners in remote or under-resourced areas can participate fully in online assessments.
Enhancing academic integrity in a digital era
As online learning becomes increasingly prevalent, ensuring the integrity of assessments is critical. The rise of remote education has made traditional proctoring methods less effective, creating opportunities for academic dishonesty.
SMOWL’s AI-powered monitoring system provides a robust solution to this challenge, detecting irregularities and misconduct while maintaining a non-intrusive approach.
By integrating SMOWL into their assessment processes, African institutions can uphold the credibility of their qualifications, ensuring that online exams carry the same weight and trust as traditional, in-person assessments.
This is particularly important as universities and employers increasingly rely on digital credentials and certificates to evaluate learner competencies.
Committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
While integrity remains central to digital education, Smowltech and OneConnect also recognise that true progress must go hand in hand with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Smowltech pairs technological innovation with a strong dedication to achieving global sustainability objectives.
In particular, the company aligns its efforts with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by ensuring that its proctoring solutions foster inclusive, equitable, and quality learning opportunities.
By partnering with OneConnect, Smowltech expands this mission in Africa, enabling institutions to provide high-standard education even in low-resource or remote settings.
At the same time, Smowltech advances SDG 13 (Climate Action) by promoting digital assessment models that significantly reduce the environmental footprint of education, limiting the need for paper, travel, and physical infrastructure.
Together, OneConnect and Smowltech show how EdTech innovation can tackle global priorities, delivering online learning solutions that both progress education and promote a more sustainable future.
Shaping the next era of education
The OneConnect–SMOWL partnership represents more than a collaboration; it is a strategic step toward the future of education in Africa.
As the continent continues to embrace digital transformation, scalable and reliable solutions for remote learning and assessment are essential.
This collaboration promises to equip educators and administrators with the tools they need to deliver high-quality education, even in challenging environments.
Institutions that adopt SMOWL through OneConnect will not only gain access to leading proctoring technology but also benefit from ongoing support and guidance on maximizing its potential. This partnership, which seeks to build trust in digital education while improving accessibility through sustainable practices, leverages SMOWL’s tools to advance global education and climate goals and enhance the learning experience for both educators and students across the continent.
