Airtel Foundation Targets 10 Million Africans with Scholarships, Digital Inclusion Drive
The Airtel Africa Foundation, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming the lives of over 10 million Africans by 2030 through scholarships, digital inclusion, environmental sustainability, and financial literacy programmes.
The foundation was officially unveiled on Tuesday at a press conference in Lagos, with Airtel executives outlining its mission to close the education and technology gap across the continent.
Speaking at the event, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said the foundation would expand the company’s social investment footprint with a sharper focus on digital empowerment.
“This foundation carries forward our tradition of social investment and multiplies its reach with a groundbreaking vision. Already, our initiatives are making a difference in classrooms, hospitals, rural communities, and cities where digital access determines opportunity,” Balsingh said.
He noted that the foundation was equipping schools with digital devices, internet access, and teacher training to prepare young Africans for self-reliance in the digital economy.
Airtel Africa’s Group CEO, Sunil Taldar, described the initiative as both a business imperative and a guiding philosophy. According to him, Airtel has already visited more than 1,200 schools, impacted over one million students, and trained 17,000 teachers in digital education across its 14 markets, with Nigeria receiving a large share of the investment.
Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, said the project was designed to be a catalyst for change and a lasting legacy.
“What makes you rich is not what you have, but what you give,” Ogunsanya said, stressing that the foundation would prioritise scholarships, zero-rated educational platforms, device donations, and school refurbishment projects.
So far, the foundation has provided IT tools for teachers, installed smart TVs in classrooms, and reconstructed six schools across Nigeria, with plans to expand the programme to 10 schools for balanced impact nationwide.
Ogunsanya further announced the launch of the Airtel Africa Fellowship, which offers full scholarships in technology and STEM fields, mentorship, internships, and exchange opportunities. “Currently, we are sponsoring two Nigerian students in India, and 100 additional scholarships will be awarded to Nigerians soon,” he revealed.
Since its inception in July 2024, the foundation has been active in 14 African countries, bridging the digital divide and grooming Africa’s next generation of innovators. Over 1,100 Airtel employees are also volunteering their time and expertise in mentorship and community projects.
