By News Desk
Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of , has released its inaugural Annual Report, highlighting a landmark investment of $6.2 million across financial inclusion, education, environmental sustainability, and digital inclusion initiatives during its first full year of operations.
The report showcases the Foundation’s impact on millions of learners, teachers, youth, women, and communities across the continent, with education receiving the largest share of funding.
Airtel Africa Foundation,Chair Segun Ogunsanya
Among the key achievements, the Foundation connected 1,028 schools to the internet through its partnership with, bringing the total number of connected schools to 3,296 across 13 African countries. The initiative has reached more than 2 million learners and nearly 39,000 teachers, expanding access to digital learning opportunities.
Additionally, 64 zero-rated digital learning platforms enabled over 11 million learners to access educational content free of charge, helping bridge the digital divide and support equitable learning outcomes.
The Foundation also strengthened learning environments through its School Adoption Programme, fully renovating seven public schools and undertaking upgrades in 43 additional schools. The programme combines infrastructure improvements with digital connectivity and holistic student development.
In higher education, the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship awarded 257 full university scholarships to students in Malawi, Nigeria, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda. The initiative is aimed at expanding access to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education while nurturing the next generation of African technology leaders.
Further, 30,530 youth and women benefited from digital skills training programmes delivered in collaboration with government institutions, development partners, and private-sector organizations.
Speaking on the Foundation’s impact, Chair Segun Ogunsanya said the organization was created to address inequality in access to opportunities across Africa.
“The Airtel Africa Foundation was established to help dismantle barriers caused by unequal access to opportunity. While talent and ambition are abundant, access to education, digital tools, and economic participation remains uneven.
Through partnerships and our continental reach, we are committed to investing in communities furthest from opportunity,” said Ogunsanya.
The report also highlights the Foundation’s growing emphasis on measurable outcomes, sustainable impact, and long-term systems change across the communities it serves.
Looking ahead, the Foundation plans to significantly expand its programmes by increasing its School Adoption Programme to more than 80 schools, providing over 600 scholarships to young people, connecting an additional 2,000 schools to free internet services, and extending digital skills and financial inclusion initiatives to underserved communities.
“As a Foundation, we are positioned to deliver skills development and lasting change at the individual and household level, while partnering with governments to unlock Africa’s economic transformation,” Ogunsanya added.
The Airtel Africa Foundation Annual Report underscores the organization’s commitment to creating lasting social impact and empowering millions of Africans through education, technology, and economic inclusion.
