By Ayomide Otitoju
The Airtel Africa Foundation has announced an ambitious 2030 vision aimed at directly improving the lives of over 10 million Africans through digital empowerment, education, and innovation.
Speaking on the initiative, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Foundation, said, “We are not just donating resources; we are building a pipeline of talent and fostering innovation to ensure the global digital revolution leaves no African behind. This is a strategic, measurable commitment to unlocking the continent’s demographic dividend.”
The Foundation’s programmes include ‘Connecting Schools’, which provides free connectivity and devices, and the ‘Airtel Africa Fellowship’, offering full undergraduate scholarships in tech and STEM fields, alongside mentorship and internship opportunities.
A key early success is the Foundation’s partnership with UNICEF, which has connected more than 1,800 schools, benefited over one million students, and trained more than 17,000 teachers in digital education across Airtel Africa’s 14 markets.
The Foundation also leverages its Employee Volunteer Programme, mobilizing staff skills for community projects. For the 2025/26 financial year, it aims to expand its initiatives across all operating countries, including Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa, emphasized the company’s commitment: “We cannot thrive in a place that is not thriving. The Airtel Africa Foundation is our vehicle to catalyse transformation, systematically investing in the pillars that underpin a resilient and dynamic society. Helping to connect the unconnected, banking the unbanked, and enabling businesses and economies to thrive are the three most significant objectives of our business.”
