IJIKMMENA · Vol 11, Nos 1/2 · 2026Literature Review

Digital education for peacebuilding in post-conflict contexts: a systematic review of ICT-enabled learning with insights for rebuilding Sudan

School of Arts and Social Sciences (SASS)
Uganda Martyrs University
Faculty of Economics, Energy and Management Sciences, Business School
Makerere University
Faculty of Economics, Energy and Management Sciences, Business School
Makerere University
Faculty of Economics, Energy and Management Sciences, Business School
Makerere University
Received: 19 December 2025Revised: 10 February 2026Accepted: 23 February 2026Published: 10 July 2026
Purpose

This systematic literature review examines Information and Communication Technology (ICT)-enabled education for peacebuilding in post-conflict contexts, offering insights for the rebuilding of Sudan’s education system.

Design/Methodology/Approach

Using SPIDER criteria and PRISMA guidelines, 49 peer-reviewed studies were selected via systematic searches of Scopus, Web of Science and databases of grey literature.

Findings

Results showed a diverse set of ICTs, mobile learning, offline digital tools, blended models, and peace education platforms, deployed in a variety of conflict environments. Recorded impacts included better access to learning and continuity of education, increased social cohesion, leadership strengthening, and recovery from trauma. Enabling factors such as institutional readiness, cultural adaptation, teacher capacity, and community engagement, and barriers such as limited connectivity, funding fragility, and gender differences are highlighted. Twelve key lessons were identified to guide the recovery strategy for Sudan’s education system. ICT can support educational recovery and peacebuilding, but success in Sudan depends on strategic integration, local ownership, inclusive design, policy alignment, and longitudinal, multi-sectoral evaluation to ensure sustainable impact.

Keywords
Digital EducationICT InterventionPost-Conflict ReconstructionEducational ContinuityPeace BuildingSPIDER FrameworkFragile StatesTeacher EducationMobile LearningOffline SolutionEducation Equity
Citation

Musinguzi, D., Ntayi, J. M., Mubangizi, J. and Kiggundu, T. (2026): Digital education for peacebuilding in post-conflict contexts: a systematic review of ICT-enabled learning with insights for rebuilding Sudan. International Journal of Innovation and Knowledge Management in Middle East and North Africa (IJIKMMENA), Vol. 11, Nos. 1/2, pp. 19-38.