Muna Kalati Accelerates African EdTech Innovation Through MIT Bootcamp Partnership.

Muna Kalati has attained a significant milestone by participating in the prestigious Bootcamp program, organized by the Legatum Center, an elite global entrepreneurship initiative hosted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

The Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT, in partnership with the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), the Ghana Hubs Network (GHN), The She Hub Ghana, and with the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation, successfully concluded its intensive bootcamp for early-stage innovators in Ghana. The three-day program, held from July 23-25,

2024, equipped 25 promising Ghanaian ventures with the skills and tools necessary to propel their businesses forward. 

The MIT Bootcamp blends rigorous academic theory with hands-on application. Participants work closely with MIT faculty, experienced mentors, and a global network of peers to refine their ventures. For Muna Kalati, this meant rethinking its development strategy for the Muna Kalati App, a culturally relevant digital platform providing African-centred educational content to children across the continent. 

The Muna Kalati App already offers a wide range of content, including eBooks, audiobooks, and animated stories grounded in African culture. With guidance from the bootcamp, Muna Kalati implemented a more user-centric development model, drawing feedback from educators, parents, and children to fine-tune the platform’s features. Enhancements include multilingual support and tailored content recommendations. MK can now apply MIT’s proven Venture Creation Framework to real-world challenges. Selection into this highly competitive program affirmed our social impact potential and enabled a strategic transformation of our operations and digital platform.

In addition to product development, Muna Kalati used insights from the bootcamp to refine its business model. This includes adopting a freemium approach that maintains free access for families while enabling revenue through institutional partnerships. The organization also initiated structures for content creator collaborations and revenue sharing, expanding opportunities for African authors, illustrators, and storytellers. 

Founder & Executive Director, Christian Elongue noted the transformational impact of the program, stating, “The MIT Bootcamp changed our mindset. We moved from simply building an app to creating a scalable solution rooted in community needs and long-term value.” COO Sonia Pitit added, “We gained clarity and tools to expand our vision. Our approach is now more data-driven, strategic, and aligned with our mission.” 

With improved platform architecture, strategic market expansion plans, and strengthened partnerships, Muna Kalati is now positioned to evolve from a digital product to a holistic educational ecosystem.