Libya turns to Tunisia to advance education digitalisation

Libya is exploring cooperation with Tunisia as it seeks to accelerate the digital transformation of its education system. 

Following a series of recent visits by a Libyan delegation to Tunisia, both countries said they intend to work toward a formal cooperation agreement.

The initiative is part of a broader digital transformation strategy led by Libya’s state-owned telecommunications company. 

Libyan authorities aim to expand connectivity across public services, including linking schools and health facilities. The government has also set up an inter-ministerial committee to modernise education through distance learning, alongside an effort to digitise school curricula.

Tunisia is widely viewed as a regional reference point for education digitalisation. 

In November 2024, the country completed the connection of 3,300 schools to high-speed internet. Earlier, in January 2024, it launched the “School of Tunisia of the Future” platform, offering public-facing digital services focused on educational content and teaching resources, as well as updates from the Ministry of Education.

In an assessment, Oxford Business Group argues that fully leveraging education technology (edtech) could help Libya narrow gaps in learning outcomes and digital literacy compared with global benchmarks. The firm adds that stronger intra-regional cooperation and the sharing of best practices—an approach Libya is now pursuing—could contribute to improving academic standards.

Oxford Business Group also notes that wider access to edtech solutions is generating cautious optimism about overcoming longstanding challenges in Libya’s education sector. 

Digital tools, the report suggests, could be particularly effective in primary-school science, and in middle-school English and social studies, provided they are adapted to local needs, designed to support teachers, and structured to help students meet grade- and subject-level requirements.

However, the report stresses that progress will depend on addressing infrastructure shortfalls. 

Key priorities include ensuring reliable internet access, especially in rural areas, improving the availability of devices and digital learning materials, and expanding training in essential digital skills. Adequate funding, effective coordination and political stability will also be critical to scaling these initiatives nationwide.

For now, the Tunisia–Libya partnership remains at an early stage. The two sides have signed an initial agreement to organise coordination meetings with the relevant departments of Tunisia’s Ministry of Education, as a first step toward drafting a broader joint cooperation framework between their respective education ministries.