Airtel Africa Foundation Invests $6.2 Million To Expand Education, Digital Access Across Africa
The Airtel Africa Foundation has invested $6.2 million in its first full year of operations, supporting initiatives focused on education, digital access, financial inclusion and environmental sustainability across the continent.
According to the Foundation’s 2025/26 Annual Report, education received the largest share of the investment, with efforts focused on improving internet access and learning opportunities for students. Through its partnership with UNICEF, the Foundation connected 1,028 schools to the internet during the year, increasing the total number of connected schools to 3,296 across 13 African countries.
The initiative has provided internet access to more than 2 million learners and nearly 39,000 teachers, while 64 free digital learning platforms have helped over 11 million learners access educational resources.
Speaking on the initiative, Segun Ogunsanya, Chair of the Airtel Africa Foundation, said, “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.”
Beyond improving connectivity, the Foundation’s School Adoption Programme supported the renovation of seven public schools and began upgrades in 43 others, combining infrastructure improvements with digital learning opportunities and student development programmes.
The Foundation also awarded 257 full university scholarships through the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship across Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. The scholarships are targeted at students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related fields.
In addition, 30,530 young people and women received digital skills training through programmes delivered in collaboration with government agencies, development organisations and private sector partners.
Furthermore, the Foundation plans to expand its programmes by supporting more than 80 schools through the School Adoption Programme, increasing scholarship opportunities to over 600 recipients, connecting an additional 2,000 schools to free internet and extending digital skills and financial inclusion initiatives to more communities.
Ogunsanya also said, “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.”
For Airtel Africa, which operates in 14 African countries, the Foundation’s initiatives strengthen the company’s role beyond telecommunications by supporting communities through programmes that impact the lives of millions across the continent.
