Airtel Targets 5,000 Schools in Major Internet Expansion Drive
Telecom giant Airtel have unveiled plans to connect 5,000 schools across Africa to free internet access by 2027, expanding an education programme that has already reached more than two million students, including learners in Kenya.
The initiative, implemented through the Airtel Africa Foundation in partnership with UNICEF, aims to bridge the digital divide by giving schools reliable internet access, digital learning resources and teacher training.
The latest commitment builds on a US$57 million partnership launched in 2021 that has so far connected 3,296 schools across 13 African countries. Around 40,000 teachers have also benefited, while more than 11 million users can now access educational platforms without paying for mobile data after Airtel zero-rated 64 learning portals.
Airtel Africa Chief Executive Officer Sunil Taldar announced the expansion during a visit to St. Monica Girls’ School in Lusaka, Zambia, one of the first schools to benefit from the programme.
Expanding Digital Learning Across Africa
Reliable internet remains out of reach for thousands of schools across Africa, especially in rural communities where learners often miss opportunities available to their peers in urban areas.
Education experts say the lack of digital infrastructure limits access to online lessons, research materials and modern teaching methods, widening the gap in learning outcomes.
Airtel and UNICEF hope the partnership will help close that gap by connecting more schools and equipping teachers with the skills needed to deliver digital education.
“Students have access to world-class education through the programme developed by UNICEF in partnership with various Ministries of Education and delivered via Airtel’s connectivity. We are also training teachers so they can effectively deliver this digital education. Our goal is to continue strengthening connectivity in schools by providing free internet access, zero-rated educational platforms and training teachers across the continent,” Taldar said.
Access to the internet is only one part of the initiative.
Teachers are receiving digital skills training to help them integrate technology into classroom lessons, while students can use online learning platforms to revise lessons, complete assignments and explore educational resources beyond traditional textbooks.
Sixty-four education platforms have already been zero-rated, removing data costs that often prevent learners from accessing online content.
The result is a learning environment where students can continue studying both inside and outside the classroom.
Kenya Among Countries Benefiting
Kenya is one of the 13 countries participating in the programme alongside Chad, Congo, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Expansion of digital learning complements Kenya’s efforts to integrate technology into education and improve digital literacy among learners.
Improved internet access also gives teachers new tools to support classroom instruction and allows students in remote areas to access educational resources previously beyond their reach.
St. Monica Girls’ School has already witnessed the impact of the programme.
“As one of the first schools connected during the initial phase, our students have been able to learn through the learning portal, and this has strengthened their education. We remain grateful to Airtel and UNICEF,” Headmistress Sister Matilda Soloko said.
UNICEF Zambia Representative Dr Saja Farooq Abdullah said the partnership is helping narrow inequalities in education.
“This partnership is truly helping to reduce inequalities and bridge the digital divide. It ensures that every child can learn, wherever they are. It was inspiring to see and hear the girls explain how they can learn at their own pace, review their lessons, and complete their homework with confidence,” Abdullah said.
Government officials say such collaborations are becoming increasingly important as countries seek to modernise education systems.
Zambia’s Director of Secondary Education, Yvonne Mwemba Chulu, said partnerships between governments and private organisations are helping schools embrace hybrid learning.
“At the Ministry of Education, we cannot do this alone, and we are grateful for the partnership we are benefiting from today. Our children can now benefit from hybrid learning through teachers who also use digital devices. The learners also told us they can access the learning portal from home, which is a positive development because it allows them to continue learning from the comfort of their homes,” Chulu said.
Expansion to 5,000 schools by 2027 is expected to give millions more African learners access to quality digital education.
The programme also supports ongoing efforts to prepare students for a technology-driven economy while reducing disparities between urban and rural schools.
Continued investment in internet connectivity, digital skills and learning platforms could play a key role in improving education outcomes across the continent.
