---
title: "Leaving No One Behind: Paradigm Global Innovation on why implementing a digitally focused curriculum in Africa is key to meeting UN’s CDP 2030 pledge"
description: With the adaptation of the UN 2030 Agenda, members states have pledged to “leave no one behind”, starting with “the furthest left behind”.
author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief)
date: 2019-10-02T12:39:26.000Z
updated: 2026-04-01T12:05:48.729Z
canonical: https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/article/leaving-no-one-behind-paradigm-global-innovation-on-why-implementing-a-digitally-focused-curriculum-in-africa-is-key-to-meeting-uns-cdp-2030-pledge
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/bill-wegener-1569647498-unsplash-scaled.jpg
categories: Education, Social Impact
content_type: Analysis
region: Middle East & Africa
publication: Sovereign Magazine
---

*With the adoption of the 2030 Agenda, UN Member States
pledged to ensure “no one will be left behind” and to “endeavour to reach the
furthest behind first”. *
*
*United Nations
Development Program

The UN Committee for Development Policy [(CDP) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development](https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/tag/leaving-no-one-behind/) has pledged to ‘leave no one behind’ with a focus on rural and low-income areas such as sub‐Saharan Africa. The fundamental elements as pointed out by the CDP will be education and housing initiatives to address the huge imbalance of national and international exclusion and inequality present in these countries.

As private initiatives will undoubtedly play a key role in meeting these targets, we take a look at an[ education](/category/education)-based agency who sees Africa as a natural hub for developing the next generation’s talent.

Paradigm Global Innovation ([*www.paradigmglobalinnovations.com*](https://www.paradigmglobalinnovations.com/)), founded in 2016, with expertise in education technology development, delivery, and creating access to learning is just one such initiative. We spoke to the founder, U.S. born, Rachel Afolabi about why Paradigm is forging ahead in Africa.

### Tell
us more about Paradigm Innovation, what do you hope to achieve?

Paradigm
Global Innovation works with clients in the U.S.A., Europe and Africa,
developing digital learning content, implementing learning management systems,
and developing curriculum and learning pathways.

New
opportunities have emerged in the need for content development and integration
of new technologies into existing curriculum and training needs for teachers at
every level, from primary to secondary school education (K-12) to corporate
education.

I
started this as an independent consultant and began to expand as the need in
education continues to grow globally. Industry leaders need to continue the
upskilling of their employees to keep up with the technologies that have
emerged and will keep emerging and improving learning processes, creating smart
cities, and creating job opportunities for economic development.

My
digital transformation and education agency started in 2016 with expertise in
education technology development, delivery, and creating access to learning. We
help to identify gaps and develop learning plans for colleges, universities,
and corporations. We are in the business of strategy and sustainable
implementation.

Starting
this year, 2019, our partnerships have expanded in the U.K. and Africa,
creating innovation centres with a focus on integrating emerging technologies
into learning in different disciplines, and educating on the essential skills
and leadership development needed in the continuous development and
implementation of these technologies.

We
hope to develop educators at all levels to continue to learn new technologies
to enhance education, and to contribute in providing access to learning these
new technologies in communities that do not have existing or limited access.

> View this post on Instagram
> 
> [Featuring @ms.kalexander, a Pittsburgh leader in XR technologies and Director of XRConnectED. Starting this October, XRConnectED in partnership with Pittsburgh Community Television is hosting Community XR, a fun and educational event with the ultimate purpose of promoting digital literacy and providing information to attendees about how they can learn to create in XR and related technologies. In Karen’s words “Simply put, XR is part of the landscape of the future workplace, and it is important that Pittsburgh residents are prepared for that future.” Join us at the Digital Transformation Learning Conference to connect with Karen and hear about the work XRConnectED is doing in the region and beyond! Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/digital-transformation-learning-conference-tickets-67240107973 #xr #workforcedevelopment #emergingtechnologies #pittsburgh](https://www.instagram.com/p/B2l4_eRA15o/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading)
> 
> A post shared by  Rachael Afolabi Royes (@rachaelpipi) on Sep 19, 2019 at 5:01am PDT

### What
inspired you to become an entrepreneur?

I
have been an entrepreneur since my teenage years. I made and sold handmade
festive cards for friends and family members. I had my son in my third year of college,
and I wanted to create an opportunity for myself where I could earn an income
independently. I specialised in textiles design in my Industrial Design program
in university. During that time, I attempted to sell my designs to a textiles
manufacturing firm in Nigeria. Unfortunately, I was super naïve and
inexperienced, so I got paid a few thousand Naira and was sent my way with no
royalties negotiated!

That
was a hard lesson, but it also began my journey to learn as much as I could
about business. I briefly owned and ran an art gallery in Brooklyn, New York
from 2010-2012, representing artists around the world. I learned a lot but did
not make huge financial profits! It did afford me the opportunity to expand my
global network. I closed the business when it became too time-consuming and
financially impractical. I focused on developing my [technology skills](https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/article/the-benefits-of-pursuing-a-tech-oriented-degree-in-today-s-digital-landscape) to pivot
my art business and advancing my career in instructional design.

### What
is the best thing about your job?

The
creativity and diversity of people and technologies we get to work with is
exciting, and also discovering new places where we can provide access and
opportunities in technology.

### And
the most challenging?

One
of the most challenging parts of my work is still the recognition of women in
technology, especially women of colour. It is still tough to walk into a room
and be accepted despite working in this field with successful outcomes for
thirteen years! There is progress, but there is still a lot of work that needs
to be done. It doesn’t stop me though, if anything, it provides the
encouragement and gusto needed to continue.

### What
has been your most satisfying moment in business so far?

The
most satisfying thing in business for me is when a client is satisfied. That is
satisfying. But I do have to say that we just opened our first education
innovation coworking centre in Osogbo – Atunse (meaning Renaissance in Yoruba
language) Innovation Coworking Space. Hardly the place you would expect an
innovation centre but that’s exactly what we’re about. Creating access to
places that would not otherwise be considered in this technology boom that is
occurring globally. Starting September 2019, we will be providing opportunities
to individuals in that locality creating access to technology education and
training thereby playing our part in not leaving Nigeria and Africa behind in
global technology advancements. Having already secured early partners from the
United States, and the U.K., we are stoked that this will be a success and our
contribution to the renaissance of Nigeria, and Africa. We are also working
with a non-profit organization in Pittsburgh, PA. U.S.A. launching a digital
skills program training youth and connecting them with businesses with
technology needs in a local area.

I
am also very proud of our work in launching our platform on Africa Interactive,
an interactive platform that tells the story of Africa from the perspective of
Africans utilizing immersive and interactive learning approaches. This is a
brand-new education platform we launched recently in the Netherlands and we
hope to grow extensively in the next few months.

## About:

*Rachael
Afolabi was born in Indiana, U.S.A. and grew up in Zaria, a historical city in
Northern Nigeria. Her career started off at a small graphic design firm in
Lagos, Nigeria, where she worked as a graphic designer. She later moved to the
U.S. where she has worked for higher education institutions and international
Fortune 50 companies in the U.S.A. as an instructional designer and technology
and workforce development specialist. She is currently a researcher in Europe
working in immersive education technologies and an adjunct professor, teaching
courses in web design and development, and instructional design.*

*She
has an 18-year old son and has been married to her husband for three years.*