Onilede Titi Faith
The Airtel Africa Foundation, in partnership with UNICEF, has unveiled an ambitious plan to directly impact over 10 million lives across Africa by 2030 through education, digital inclusion, environmental sustainability, and financial literacy programmes.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, in Lagos, during a press conference marking the formal launch of the foundation.
In his opening remarks, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said the foundation represents Airtel’s commitment to improving Africa’s socio-economic landscape through education and digital empowerment.
“We gather today to officially present the Airtel Africa Foundation to the world. This foundation carries forward our tradition of social investment and multiplies its reach with a sharper focus, a stronger platform, and a groundbreaking vision.
“For the first time, the world will see in one frame the projects we are delivering across the continent.
These initiatives are already catching light in classrooms, in hospitals, in rural communities, and in cities, where digital access determines the difference between stagnation and opportunity,” he said.
Balsingh explained that the foundation is equipping schools with devices, internet connectivity, and teacher training to prepare young Africans for self-reliance in the digital economy.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, Sunil Taldar, described the initiative as both a business imperative and a guiding philosophy.
“We have visited over 1,200 schools, impacted more than one million students, and trained 17,000 teachers in digital education across our 14 markets. A very large portion of the foundation’s investment will go into Nigeria,” Taldar noted.
Since its inception in July 2024, the foundation has operated in Nigeria and 13 other African countries, bridging the digital divide, equipping young people with 21st-century skills, and promoting economic resilience.
Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, described the initiative as a catalyst for change and a lasting legacy.
“What makes you rich is not what you have, but what you give,” he said, adding that the foundation’s focus is on creating pathways to higher learning through zero-rated educational platforms, device donations, and school refurbishment projects.
Ogunsanya revealed that Airtel has provided IT materials to teachers, installed smart TVs in classrooms, and reconstructed six schools across Nigeria one in each region with a target to reach 10 schools for geo-balanced impact.
The foundation has also launched the Airtel Africa Fellowship, offering full undergraduate scholarships in technology and STEM fields, mentorship opportunities, internships, and exchange programmes to groom Africa’s next generation of innovators.
“Beyond building schools, we are supporting students who cannot afford school fees through scholarships, and we are working towards building a major tech hub in Nigeria.
Currently, we are sponsoring two Nigerian students in a university in India, and I am pleased to announce that 100 additional scholarships will be awarded to Nigerians,” Ogunsanya disclosed.
He also emphasised the role of Airtel employees in the mission, revealing that over 1,100 staff volunteers are actively engaged in mentorship, coaching, and community projects across the continent.
