Africa, 20 November 2024: Airtel Africa, a provider of telecommunications and mobile money services across 14 African countries, has today announced that its five-year partnership with United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), aimed at transforming education across the continent.
The telecom company has successfully connected
over 1,500 schools to the internet, trained 17,000 teachers, and reached nearly
a million learners with quality digital education resources across 13 African
countries.
The partnership was launched in 2021 as
part of Airtel Africa’s $57 million commitment to support the development of education
and bridge the digital divide for vulnerable children in remote communities in
collaboration with African governments.
Since the commencement of the
partnership, Airtel Africa has prioritised the accessibility of online learning
resources, including zero-rated educational platforms and teacher training, to
support equitable learning opportunities for Africa’s children.
"Our mission is to transform lives, and through our collaboration with UNICEF, we are witnessing the profound impact that connectivity and digital resources can have on Africa’s children and teachers. For every school we have connected and for each teacher trained on using these digital tools, we are taking tangible steps toward realizing 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," Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar, noted when marking this year’s World’s Children’s Day said:.
According to Mr. Taldar, equipping these schools with internet connectivity and training teachers on how to use the digital tools, Airtel Africa and UNICEF are providing Africa’s children, particularly those in underserved and remote regions, with the digital tools and skills they need to thrive in a technology-driven world.
This is a reason why the two are celebrating with the
children on this special occasion of World Children’s Day, specially dedicated
to them and all the effort aimed at securing and improving their future.
The partnership has expanded digital learning to learners in 13
countries since its launch. The countries include Chad, Congo, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda,
Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
