Document Type
Article
Abstract
Mobile learning is the use of small and portable devices, such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones, for educational purposes. It influences where, how, what, and why students learn, as well as from whom they learn in the digital age. While the adoption of technology in education has brought a remarkable shift from traditional to digital learning, a global digital divide distinguishes developed and developing regions. However, mobile learning leverages the affordability and ubiquity of mobile devices to provide access to educational resources, bridging the digital divide in regions with limited educational infrastructure. This study is a systematic review of mobile learning in West Africa. Articles were retrieved from IEEE Xplore, JSTOR, and Google Scholar between 2018 and 2025. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 36 studies were selected, and findings revealed that mobile learning has gained significant attention within the West African educational system. However, several gaps remained, including limited research momentum; lack of research diversity – need to consider other stakeholders' experience; lack of regional balance research; limited qualitative studies, and lack of exposure to more structured learning platforms.
