Airtel Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to youth empowerment by spotlighting its digital skills initiatives as the world commemorates World Youth Skills Day 2025.
With over 60 percent of the Tanzanian population under the age of 25, Airtel says equipping young people with digital knowledge is vital to fostering economic growth and competitiveness.
The theme for this year’s global celebration — Youth empowerment through AI and digital skills — aligns closely with the telecom company’s ongoing efforts.
Through initiatives such as SMARTWASOMI and Fursa Lab, Airtel aims to make digital learning more accessible and relevant to the needs of today’s youth.
“Our goal is to ensure that every young Tanzanian has access to tools that can unlock their potential,” said Beatrice Singano, Airtel Tanzania’s Director of Corporate Communications, speaking at the company’s headquarters in Dar es Salaam.
She added “With SMARTWASOMI, we remove the cost barrier to learning by providing free access to curriculum content. Fursa Lab, meanwhile, gives youth and teachers practical, in-demand tech skills.”
SMARTWASOMI is a collaborative initiative between Airtel Tanzania, the Airtel Africa Foundation, UNICEF, and the Government of Tanzania.
The platform provides students with free access to digital educational resources developed by the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) and Shule Direct.
It offers curriculum-based lessons, quizzes, and revision tools, accessible without data charges, and is in use in both urban and rural areas.
Complementing that is Fursa Lab, a partnership between Airtel and the Dar Teknohama Business Incubator (DTBi).
Located in Dar es Salaam, the lab has trained thousands of young people and hundreds of teachers in fields such as computer literacy, robotics, mobile app development, digital marketing, and 3D design.
“As we celebrate this day, we are reminded that technology and partnerships can unlock real opportunities for the youth,” Singano said. “We are proud to collaborate with the government and other stakeholders to build the next generation of Tanzania’s digital leaders.”
Airtel’s youth-focused digital empowerment programs support Tanzania’s broader development agenda while contributing to global goals aimed at expanding access to education and digital innovation.
World Youth Skills Day, observed every July 15, was established by the United Nations to promote the importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, decent work, and entrepreneurship in a rapidly evolving world.