The agreements build on its existing partnership with Microsoft, Badiliko, which has established digital hubs in six countries across sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr Jo Beall, British Council Director of Education and Society said: “We hope these new partnerships will enable a step-change for education around the world. Through working together, we can harness our long-developed expertise in helping young people find new educational opportunities and bring that experience to many, many more people.”

Under the first agreement, the British Council will ensure that new software provided by Microsoft’s $75 million professional development initiative for emerging markets is effectively integrated into school syllabuses and teacher training. The Shape the Future project spans three years and includes collaboration from five other global NGOs.

Through the second agreement, the British Council will collaborate with Microsoft, Intel and World Vision to introduce digital technology to schools in Africa in a new project called Spark a Child’s Digital Future. Using its teacher training and government relations in sub-Saharan Africa, the British Council will have an equal stake in the governance of the project which will begin with a pilot in 10 primary schools in Kenya with plans to scale up to other African countries.

The British Council will ensure that new software is effectively integrated into school syllabuses and teacher training

World Vision, the world’s largest NGO, will lead fundraising for the project, and will share on the ground expertise in running the education programme. Microsoft and Intel will offer digital expertise, software and training.

“We recognise that once a child’s basic needs are met, digital skills development can be vital in securing economic growth,” said Rich Stearns, President, World Vision US. “This programme is essential in helping children in developing countries succeed in a global world.”

The MOUs were signed at Microsoft’s Partners in Learning Global Forum 2012 in Prague last week and resonate with the British Council’s aim to help foster global engagement with British culture and initiatives.