Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc, has reported an investment of $6.2 million across financial inclusion, education, environmental sustainability, and digital inclusion initiatives across Africa, during its first year of operation, with education receiving the largest share of investment.
Key achievements include connecting 1,028 schools to the internet through its partnership with UNICEF, bringing the total to 3,296 schools connected across 13 countries, reaching over 2 million learners and nearly 39,000 teachers. In addition, 64 zero-rated digital platforms enabled over 11 million learners to access free educational content.
The Foundation also improved the condition of public schools, with 7 fully renovated and 43 undergoing upgrades under the School Adoption Programme, which integrates infrastructure improvements with digital access and holistic student development.
Through the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship, 257 full university scholarships were awarded in Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, 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 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,” said Segun Ogunsanya, Chair, Airtel Africa Foundation.
The report also underscores the Foundation’s growing focus on measurable outcomes and long-term systems change. The Foundation aims to scale proven interventions in the year ahead, including expanding its School Adoption Programme to over 80 schools, increasing scholarships to more than 600 youth, providing free internet connectivity to an additional 2000 schools, and extending 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.
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