Nearly one million students across Africa have stepped into the digital age thanks to a partnership between UNICEF and Airtel Africa.
The $57 million initiative, launched in 2021, has connected over 1,500 schools to the internet in some of Africa’s most remote communities. The programme has equipped 17,000 teachers with digital skills, creating a ripple effect of technological empowerment across 13 African countries.
“We’re not just installing internet connections; we’re opening windows to the world for children who previously had limited access to digital resources,” said Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar during World Children’s Day celebrations. He emphasised that each connected school represents a stepping stone toward educational equality.
“For every school we have connected and for each teacher trained on using these digital tools, we are taking tangible steps toward realising our commitment to bridging the digital divide, advancing educational equality, and restating our commitment to the relentless pursuit of a better future for African children on the continent,” Mr Tadar stated.
The initiative’s zero-rated educational platforms have proven particularly impactful, allowing students to access learning resources without data charges. This approach has been crucial in making digital education accessible to vulnerable communities, according to Airtel’s Vice President of Corporate Communications, Emeka Oparah.
The partnership’s success demonstrates the vital role of private-public collaboration in addressing Africa’s digital divide. By working closely with African governments, the initiative has created sustainable digital learning environments that promise to benefit generations of students.
“For many of these communities, this represents their first reliable connection to the digital world,” Taldar noted. “We’re witnessing how digital access can transform not just education but entire communities’ futures.”
The initiative continues to expand, with plans to reach more schools and train additional teachers, reinforcing the commitment to creating a more equitable digital learning landscape across Africa.
Featured image: UNICEF Cameroon
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