Airtel Africa Sets Sight on 5,000 Schools with Free Internet by 2027
Airtel Africa is strengthening its commitment to digital education with an ambitious plan to connect 5,000 schools across its operating countries by 2027. Announced by CEO Sunil Taldar, this initiative is driven through the company’s philanthropic arm, Airtel Africa Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
Since its launch in 2021, the $57 million partnership has already made significant strides, connecting 3,296 schools and providing access to over 2 million learners and approximately 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.
During a visit to St. Monica’s Girls School in Lusaka—one of the 300 schools already benefiting from the programme—Mr Taldar highlighted the transformative impact of the initiative on educational quality. “Students are accessing best-in-class education from the curriculum developed by UNICEF in partnership with various Ministries of Education and provided through Airtel’s connectivity. We are also training teachers, so that they deliver digital education effectively. We aim to continue deepening meaningful connectivity in schools by providing free internet access, zero-rated platforms and training teachers across the continent,” he stated.
The Headmistress of St. Monica’s Girls’ School, Sr Matilda Soloko, expressed her gratitude: “Being among the first schools connected in the initial stage, our learners have been able to study using the learning portal and their studies have been intensified. We remain grateful to Airtel and UNICEF.”
UNICEF’s Zambia Country Representative, Dr Saja Farooq Abdullah, emphasised the partnership’s role in bridging the digital divide: “What this partnership has brought is really bridging the equality gap and the digital divide. It is making sure that every child learns wherever they are. It was exciting and interesting to see and hear from the girls how they can learn at their own pace, how they can review the materials, and how they do their homework with comfort.”
Yvonne Mwemba Chuulu, Director of Secondary Education at Zambia’s Ministry of Education, praised the collaboration: “At the Ministry of Education, we cannot do it alone, and we are grateful for the partnership that we have today. Our children are able to learn in a blended fashion, where we have a teacher who is also employing digital devices. We have also heard from the learners that they are able to access the portal when they are at home, which is a good thing because our learners continue to learn in the comfort of their homes.”
The School Connection programme is expanding digital learning across 13 countries, including Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia. By equipping schools with internet connectivity and empowering teachers with digital skills, the initiative is transforming education for children in underserved and remote regions, equipping them with vital tools for the future.
Airtel Africa Foundation continues to champion inclusive development through its four strategic pillars: Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Sustainability, and Digital Inclusion. The Foundation’s 2025/26 Annual Report is available at www.airtelafricafoundation.org.