Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar, has announced the telco’s commitment to
connecting 5,000 schools across its operating countries in Africa to the internet by 2027 through its
philanthropic arm, Airtel Africa Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF).
So far, the $57m partnership, which was launched in 2021, has cumulatively connected 3,296 schools
and provided access to over 2 million learners and about 40,000 teachers. 64 digital learning
platforms have been zero-rated thereby enabling more than 11m users to access educational content
at no cost.
Speaking during a visit to St. Monica’s Girls School in Lusaka, which is one of the 300 schools already
connected to the internet in Zambia, the Airtel Africa CEO stated that the initiative is having a
profound impact on the quality of education by expanding access to digital learning resources for
African children, in collaboration with governments.
Mr Taldar added: “Students are accessing best-in-class education from the curriculum developed by
UNICEF in partnership with various Ministries of Education and provided through Airtel’s connectivity.
We are also training teachers, so that they deliver digital education effectively. We aim to continue
deepening meaningful connectivity in schools by providing free internet access, zero‑rated platforms
and training teachers across the continent”.
Expressing her appreciation, the Headmistress of St. Monica’s Girls’ School, Sr Matilda Soloko said:
“Being among the first schools connected in the initial stage, our learners have been able to study
using the learning portal and their studies have been intensified. We remain grateful to Airtel and
UNICEF.”
UNICEF’s Country Representative for Zambia, Dr Saja Farooq Abdullah said: “What this partnership
has brought is really bridging the equality gap and the digital divide. It is making sure that every child
learns wherever they are. It was exciting and interesting to see and hear from the girls how they can
learn at their own pace, how they can review the materials, and how they do their homework with
comfort.
The Director of Secondary Education in Zambia’s Ministry of Education, Yvonne Mwemba Chuulu
lauded UNICEF and Airtel for the partnership saying: “At the Ministry of Education, we cannot do it
alone, and we are grateful for the partnership that we have today. Our children are able to learn in a
blended fashion, where we have a teacher who is also employing digital devices. We have also heard
from the learners that they are able to access the portal when they are at home, which is a good thing
because our learners continue to learn in the comfort of their homes”.
The School Connection programme is expanding digital learning to learners in 13 countries: Chad,
Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda,
Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. By equipping these schools with internet connectivity and training
teachers on using the digital tools, it is providing children, particularly in underserved and remote
regions, with the digital tools and skills they need to thrive.
Airtel Africa Foundation is advancing inclusive development across four strategic pillars, Financial
Inclusion, Education, Environmental Sustainability and Digital Inclusion. The Airtel Africa Foundation
2025/26 Annual Report is available at www.airtelafricafoundation.org
