Partnerships
Collaboration in action
Partnerships are central to how The Airtel Africa Foundation creates lasting impact. By working with governments, multilateral organisations, academic institutions and local partners, the Foundation combines connectivity, scale and market presence with specialist expertise to address complex social challenges. Collaboration enables the Foundation to extend its reach, deepen impact and ensure the programmes are sustainable over the long term.
Many of the issues the Foundation aims to address, including digital exclusion, gaps in learning outcomes and limited financial access, require collective action. Partnerships help to reach communities that would otherwise be hard to serve, bring together technical knowledge and ensure that the programmes align with national and regional development priorities.
Partnership with UNICEF for quality access to education
The $57m five-year partnership with UNICEF, launched in 2021, remains one of the most significant digital learning collaborations on the continent. It demonstrates how combining digital infrastructure with UNICEF’s education expertise drives systemic change.
In 2025/26, through the work of the Foundation and UNICEF, 1,028 new schools were connected to the internet in 13 markets. This builds on the partnership's cumulative achievement of connecting 3,296 schools to date.
A total of 64 platforms are zero rated across 13 countries as of 31 March 2026 so that thousands more learners can access learning resources without data costs. The Foundation has also seen to it that more than 38,800 teachers were trained during the year in utilising digital tools and resources. These educational outcomes are tracked over time to measure the role of the programmes in improving children's education.
Key performance indicators (KPIs)
2.1 million
schoolchildren who have accessed the internet and online educational platforms in 2025/26
3,296
schools connected to the internet
(since the start of the UNICEF partnership)
38,800+
teachers trained in 2025/26
64
government-approved online educational programmes zero rated
Partnerships for digital skills
The Foundation works with a diverse range of global, regional and local partners to expand access to digital skills and support participation in the digital economy. These collaborations bring together organisations such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), national institutions and local delivery partners across our markets, including the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), Cisco Systems and American Tower Corporation (ATC). Together, these partnerships focus on equipping individuals with practical, in-demand digital capabilities while also strengthening local innovation ecosystems and supporting pathways to employment and entrepreneurship.
Through these partnerships, the Foundation supports a variety of approaches, including structured training programmes, innovation challenges and community-based learning initiatives. By embedding programmes within existing national frameworks and working closely with local institutions, these efforts are designed to deliver sustainable, long-term impact.
Transforming lives in action
Transforming learning environments in Zambia
In December 2025, The Airtel Africa Foundation broke ground on a major ZMK 12m investment (equiv. $520,000) to upgrade five schools across five provinces in Zambia. Simultaneous groundbreaking ceremonies in Chipata, Mansa, Mongu, Mufulira and Solwezi marked the start of construction and refurbishment under the School adoption programme. The project, delivered in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Zambia Open Community Schools, provides modern, safe learning spaces for thousands of students. This project combines modern classrooms with digital tools, creating better learning spaces for students.
Transforming lives in action
Connecting classrooms to the internet through the DTC programme in Rwanda
In October 2025, the Airtel Africa Foundation joined forces with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA) and Cisco Systems through the Digital Transformation Centres (DTC) programme in Rwanda. This partnership aims to bridge the digital divide by providing free internet connectivity and digital skills training to underserved communities. The Foundation, through Airtel Rwanda, is equipping youth centres with routers, Wi-Fi and data packages at no cost, ensuring efficient rollout of training. Aligned with Rwanda's national 'Connect Rwanda' programme, this initiative aims to provide students, entrepreneurs and community members with the tools and training to participate in the digital economy, turning a connected classroom into a launchpad for opportunity.
Transforming lives in action
Supporting young innovators in Zambia
The Airtel Africa Foundation partnered with the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) as platinum sponsor of the ZICTA Innovation Programme, bringing together 100 young Zambian innovators to share their ideas and turn them into real businesses. This follows six years of Airtel Zambia’s collaboration with ZICTA.
In 2025/26, the top innovator was Siphiwe Sowi Munsaka with her project ‘KOLOSO’, an innovative learning assessment platform designed to tackle Africa's foundational literacy and numeracy crisis by providing reliable, real-time learning data to teachers and parents.
The top ten winners each received cash prizes to help start their projects, including a mentorship to turn their ideas into reality. By creating platforms where ideas can grow and businesses can emerge, The Airtel Africa Foundation is investing in the next generation of problem-solvers who will build a smarter, more connected Zambia.
Technology for impact in action
Expanding digital opportunities through technology
In 2025, Airtel Nigeria deepened its commitment to digital inclusion through the ‘NextGen by Airtel’ and ‘3MTT (three million technical talent) fellowship’, launched in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. Designed to cultivate Nigeria’s next generation of digital innovators, the programme expands the national 3MTT initiative by combining advanced technical training with mentorship and community engagement.
Delivered through 45 applied learning centres nationwide, the fellowship equips participants with practical skills in high-demand fields including software engineering, product design, data analytics and digital marketing. Fellows also benefit from masterclasses, hackathons and innovation challenges that strengthen creativity, collaboration and workplace readiness.
The initiative will train 25,000 young tech talents across 46 local government areas, spanning all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. By investing in skills development alongside digital infrastructure, Airtel Nigeria is helping to nurture a future-ready workforce and accelerate the country’s digital economy.
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With the NextGen Fellowship under the 3MTT initiative, we’re powering connectivity and reaffirming our belief that Nigeria’s youth are the true architects of our digital future. We’re creating real pathways for young Nigerians to learn, innovate and lead.
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Dinesh Balsingh
MD of Airtel Nigeria
Technology for impact in action
Airtel Nigeria wins best in technology for development at the 2025 SERAS Awards
Airtel Nigeria has been recognised with the ‘Best in technology for development’ award at the 2025 Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards (SERAS) in Lagos, affirming the company’s commitment to technology-driven social impact. The recognition highlights the successful execution of The Airtel Africa Foundation’s vision in Nigeria, advancing digital inclusion and sustainable development.
Through initiatives such as its support for the 3MTT programme, training 25,000 young Nigerians across 46 local government areas, and the ‘Reimagine education’ partnership with UNICEF, which has connected almost one million schoolchildren in 1,268 schools to digital learning, Airtel Nigeria continues to expand opportunities through technology.
The award reinforces our long-term commitment to empowering communities and supporting national development.
