Learners, teachers benefit from Airtel digital education

DAR ES SALAAM: The Airtel Africa Foundation has reached more than 2 million learners and nearly 39,000 teachers with digital education initiatives across 13 African countries, supported by its partnership with UNICEF.

This was unveiled during the launch of the Airtel Africa Foundation’s inaugural Annual Report, which highlights the Foundation’s first full year of impact and delivery across the continent.

The report highlights how the Foundation has advanced education, digital inclusion and community development, impacting millions across Africa and driving sustainable change.

The collaboration with UNICEF has connected 3,296 schools to the internet, including 1,028 schools added during the reporting period, while 64 zero-rated platforms have provided free access to educational content for over 11 million learners.

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Airtel Africa Foundation, Mr Segun Ogunsanya said during the reporting period, the Foundation committed 6.2 million US dollars to interventions across its four strategic pillars, Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Sustainability and Digital Inclusion (FEED), with education receiving the largest share of investment.

“The Airtel Africa Foundation was established to help dismantle barriers caused by unequal access to opportunity. While talent and ambition are abundant, access to education, digital tools and economic participation remains uneven.

Through partnerships and our continental reach, we are committed to investing in communities furthest from opportunity,” he said.

The Foundation also improved the condition of public schools, with seven fully renovated and 43 undergoing upgrades under the School Adoption Programme that integrates infrastructure improvements with digital access and holistic student development.

Through the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship, 257 full university scholarships were awarded in Tanzania, Malawi, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, expanding access to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and building a pipeline of high-potential African technology leaders.

In addition to this, 30,530 youth and women were trained through digital skills initiatives delivered with national, multilateral, and private-sector partners.

The report also highlights the Foundation’s focus on measurable impact and long-term change. In the coming year, it plans to expand its School Adoption Programme to more than 80 schools, increase scholarships to over 600 youth, connect an additional 2,000 schools to free internet and extend digital skills and financial inclusion initiatives to underserved communities.

“As a Foundation, we are positioned to deliver skills development and lasting change at the individual and household level, while partnering with governments to unlock Africa’s economic transformation”, Mr Ogunsanya added.