By Atoyebi Nike
The Airtel Africa Foundation, in partnership with UNICEF, has launched a continent-wide initiative aimed at transforming over 10 million lives by 2030 through programmes in education, digital inclusion, environmental sustainability, and financial literacy.
The official launch took place on Tuesday in Lagos, marking the formal rollout of a platform already active in Nigeria and 13 other African countries since July 2024.
Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Nigeria, Dinesh Balsingh, said the foundation was designed to multiply the company’s social investments across Africa with a sharper focus on digital empowerment.
“For the first time, the world will see in one frame the projects we are delivering across the continent,” he said. “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.”
Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar, described the initiative as both a business imperative and a guiding philosophy. He revealed that the company had already visited over 1,200 schools, impacted one million students, and trained 17,000 teachers in digital education across its 14 markets, with Nigeria receiving a major share of the investment.
Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, called the foundation “a catalyst for change and a lasting legacy.” He highlighted zero-rated educational platforms, device donations, and classroom refurbishments as part of its mission. “We’ve given IT materials to teachers, installed smart TVs in classrooms, and reconstructed six schools across Nigeria one in each region. Our target is to reach 10 schools for a geo-balanced impact,” he said.
The foundation also introduced the Airtel Africa Fellowship, which offers full scholarships in STEM fields, mentorship, internships, and exchange programmes. Ogunsanya revealed that 100 additional scholarships would soon be awarded to Nigerian students, alongside plans for a major technology hub in the country.
Over 1,100 Airtel employees are volunteering their expertise for mentorship and community projects across the continent, underscoring the foundation’s people-driven approach.
