Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc, has set an ambitious goal to improve the lives of 10 million people across Africa by 2030, through initiatives focused on financial empowerment, education, environmental protection, and digital inclusion.

The foundation will deliver its mission by creating a cycle of empowerment, combining scholarships, mentorships, connectivity programmes, and employee-driven initiatives. Its flagship programmes include ‘Connecting Schools’, which provides free digital access and devices to schools, and the ‘Airtel Africa Fellowship’, offering full undergraduate scholarships in STEM and technology fields, complemented by mentoring and internships.

Early results suggest the model is already having impact. A partnership with UNICEF has connected more than 1,800 schools, reached over one million students, and trained more than 17,000 teachers in digital education across 14 countries where the foundation operates.

To scale its impact further, the foundation will mobilise staff through its Employee Volunteer Programme, ensuring its workforce contributes directly to community development. In 2025/26, initiatives will expand across all operating markets, including Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, said: “Our 2030 vision is a transformed Africa where over 10 million lives are directly improved through our interventions. We are not just donating resources; we are building a pipeline of talent and fostering innovation to ensure the global digital revolution leaves no African behind.”

Airtel Africa’s CEO, Sunil Taldar, emphasised that the foundation is central to the company’s broader mission: “We cannot thrive in a place that is not thriving. Connecting the unconnected, banking the unbanked and enabling businesses and economies to grow are the three most significant objectives of our business. The foundation is our vehicle to catalyse transformation by systematically investing in these pillars.”