By Peace Udugba
Airtel Africa has announced plans to connect 5,000 schools across its 14 African operating countries to free internet by 2027 through the Airtel Africa Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The announcement was made by Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, during a visit to St. Monica’s Girls’ School in Lusaka, Zambia, one of the 300 schools already benefiting from the initiative in the country.
The programme forms part of a $57 million partnership launched in 2021 between the Airtel Africa Foundation and UNICEF to expand digital learning opportunities for children across the continent.
According to Airtel Africa, the initiative has so far connected 3,296 schools, providing internet access to more than 2 million learners and about 40,000 teachers. In addition, 64 digital learning platforms have been zero-rated, allowing over 11 million users to access educational content free of charge.
Taldar said the programme is transforming education by improving access to quality digital learning resources in collaboration with governments across Africa.
“Students are accessing high-quality educational content developed by UNICEF in partnership with various Ministries of Education and delivered through Airtel’s connectivity. We are also training teachers to effectively deliver digital education. Our goal is to continue expanding meaningful connectivity in schools by providing free internet access, zero-rated learning platforms and teacher training across the continent,” he said.
The Headmistress of St. Monica’s Girls’ School, Sr. Matilda Soloko, described the initiative as a game changer for the school.
“Being among the first schools connected under the programme, our learners have greatly benefited from the digital learning portal, which has significantly enhanced their studies. We are sincerely grateful to Airtel and UNICEF,” she said.
UNICEF’s Country Representative for Zambia, Dr. Saja Farooq Abdullah, said the partnership is helping bridge the digital divide and ensuring equal access to education.
“What this partnership has achieved is bridging inequality and the digital divide. It is ensuring that every child has an opportunity to learn regardless of where they live. It is encouraging to see students learning at their own pace, reviewing lessons and completing assignments with ease,” she said.
Also speaking, Zambia’s Director of Secondary Education, Yvonne Mwemba Chuulu, commended the collaboration, noting that government alone could not meet the country’s digital education needs.
“We appreciate this partnership with UNICEF and Airtel. Our learners now benefit from blended learning, where teachers effectively integrate digital technology into classroom instruction. It is also encouraging that students can continue learning from home through the online learning portal,” she said.
The School Connection Programme currently operates in 13 African countries—Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Beyond education, the Airtel Africa Foundation focuses on four strategic areas: Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Sustainability and Digital Inclusion, as part of its commitment to promoting inclusive development across Africa.
