Airtel Africa has announced plans to connect 5,000 schools across its operating countries to free internet by 2027 through the Airtel Africa Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).
The commitment was unveiled by Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, during a visit to St. Monica’s Girls’ School in Lusaka, Zambia.
St. Monica’s Girls School is one of the schools already benefiting from the initiative.
The partnership, which was launched in 2021 and is valued at US$57 million, has so far connected 3,296 schools, providing internet access to more than two million learners and about 40,000 teachers across Africa.
Taldar said the initiative is transforming the quality of education by broadening access to digital learning resources and strengthening collaboration with governments and education stakeholders across the continent.
“Students are accessing best-in-class education from the curriculum developed by UNICEF in partnership with various Ministries of Education and provided through Airtel’s connectivity. We are also training teachers so that they deliver digital education effectively,” he said.
He added that Airtel Africa aims to deepen connectivity in schools by continuing to provide free internet access, zero-rated learning platforms and teacher training programmes.
The School Connection programme is currently operating in 13 African countries, namely Malawi, Zambia, Chad, Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
In Malawi, the Airtel Nzeru Connect initiative has already connected 36 schools to the internet, while an additional nine schools are expected to be connected in 2026. The programme has also established ICT laboratories equipped with smart televisions, tablets and free internet access
Airtel Africa Foundation said the School Connection programme forms part of its broader strategy to promote inclusive development through four key pillars: financial inclusion, education, environmental sustainability and digital inclusion.
