Airtel Africa has announced plans to provide internet connectivity to 5,000 schools across Nigeria and other African countries where it operates by 2027 through the Airtel Africa Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, disclosed that the initiative, which began in 2021 as part of a $57 million partnership, has already connected 3,296 schools, giving more than two million students and about 40,000 teachers access to digital learning opportunities.
The programme has also enabled free access to 64 digital education platforms through zero-rating services, allowing over 11 million users to benefit from educational resources without internet charges.
Speaking during a visit to St. Monica’s Girls School in Lusaka, Zambia, one of the schools connected under the initiative, Taldar said the project is helping to improve education quality across Africa by expanding access to digital resources and supporting governments in strengthening learning systems.
He explained that students are benefiting from UNICEF-developed educational content while teachers are also receiving training to effectively deliver digital lessons.
Taldar added that Airtel Africa remains committed to expanding meaningful connectivity by providing free internet access, supporting digital learning platforms and improving teachers’ digital skills across the continent.
The Headmistress of St. Monica’s Girls School, Sr. Matilda Soloko, expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that internet access has helped students improve their learning experience through digital platforms.
UNICEF’s Country Representative for Zambia, Dr. Saja Farooq Abdullah, said the partnership is helping to reduce the digital divide and ensure that children, regardless of their location, have better opportunities to learn.
She noted that students are now able to study at their own pace, access learning materials and complete assignments more conveniently through digital platforms.
Zambia’s Ministry of Education also praised the partnership, saying collaboration with organisations such as Airtel and UNICEF is essential in creating blended learning systems where technology supports traditional classroom teaching.
The School Connection programme is currently being implemented in 13 African countries, including Nigeria, Zambia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Niger, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon and Madagascar.
Through internet access and teacher training, the initiative aims to equip students in underserved communities with the digital skills needed to succeed in the modern world.
