Efekta Education tops 5 million users in three years

Efekta Education has passed 5 million active users on its learning platform, reaching the milestone three years after launch.

The UK-based education technology group now works with governments across Latin America, Asia and Africa and supports about 250,000 teachers worldwide. Its platform is used in school systems, teacher training and workplace learning, with deployments ranging from English-language teaching to adult and higher education.

The figure marks rapid expansion for a company launched in 2023 as a spin-out from EF. Its partnerships now span Brazil, Cambodia, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Rwanda, Somaliland, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

That growth has been tied closely to public-sector contracts. In several markets, Efekta has worked with education ministries, local authorities and charities to introduce software designed to support pupils directly while helping teachers with lesson planning and progress tracking.

Learning results

Efekta cited test-score gains in Brazil as a key indicator of impact. In Paraná, where 750,000 students have access to the platform, state English assessments improved by 32.5 per cent within two years, according to the company.

The programme has since expanded to Mato Grosso, São Paulo, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul and Rondônia. Across those states, more than 4 million students use the system for self-study, video-based learning and classroom support.

In the Philippines, a four-month pilot involving 2,500 learners recorded a 50 per cent increase in unique words used, a 40 per cent increase in speaking speed and a 30 per cent increase in average sentence length.

Pilot results in Cambodia and Indonesia were also described as positive, although no equivalent numerical outcomes were published for those projects. Efekta said similar testing in other settings had shown improvements of more than 25 per cent compared with students not using the platform.

Teacher training

One of Efekta's most prominent African projects is in Rwanda, where the system is being used to train education professionals as part of the country's shift from French to English in schools. The work is part of a broader regional partnership with the Pharo Foundation covering Somaliland, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Kenya.

According to the company, the East African programme aims to improve English proficiency and communication skills among teachers. It has expanded in Rwanda and is on course to reach 150,000 beneficiaries by the end of 2026.

The focus on teachers reflects a wider challenge across many of the education systems where Efekta operates. In Rwanda, the student-to-teacher ratio is 59:1, more than double the global average, according to UNESCO figures cited by the company.

Efekta argues that this kind of deployment can help school systems extend access to more tailored teaching where staffing and infrastructure remain under pressure. The model combines direct student support with tools that help teachers identify weaker areas and adjust lessons.

Beyond schools

Efekta has also extended its reach beyond classrooms. Through a partnership with EF Corporate Learning, its technology is being used by employers to deliver language and skills training to workers.

Businesses cited by the company include Amazon, McDonald's and Nike. Earlier company information also highlighted use by Hilton, indicating that the platform's customer base spans both consumer-facing and multinational employers.

That workplace element broadens Efekta's commercial profile beyond government education budgets. It also places the group in a growing segment where employers are seeking language and skills training that can be delivered across dispersed workforces.

Leadership changes

Alongside the user milestone, Efekta has expanded its senior leadership and advisory structure. Stefania Giannini, former UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, has joined as President of Government Relations, while Matt Fisher has been appointed Chief Technology Officer after earlier AI and data roles at Microsoft.

The advisory board includes former Prime Ministers José Manuel Barroso and Mari Kiviniemi, Sir Nick Clegg and Meta executive Deepak Agarwal. Efekta said the board was assembled to bring experience from policy, government and technology as AI tools become more widely used in education.

Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hodges said the company's growth showed that large-scale personalised learning can be introduced through public and institutional partnerships. "Three years ago, we set out to demonstrate that AI could help teachers deliver more personalised, effective learning at a scale that was previously impossible. Today, we are seeing that vision become a reality through partnerships with governments, educational institutions and employers around the world. As we continue to expand into new countries, subjects, and learning environments, our focus remains the same: helping teachers reach more learners, improve outcomes and broaden access to high-quality education," he said.