Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa Plc, has announced a bold commitment to directly transform the lives of 10 million Africans by 2030, with programmes that will strengthen entrepreneurship, education, and digital inclusion across the continent.
The foundation said its 2030 strategy will be anchored on four pillars Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion (FEED) aimed at boosting skills, expanding access to technology, and creating sustainable livelihoods.
Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, explained that the plan is not just about giving but about building long-term capacity.
“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,” he said.
For entrepreneurs and MSMEs, key interventions will include Connecting Schools which equips schools with free internet connectivity and devices and the Airtel Africa Fellowship, which offers full undergraduate scholarships in technology and STEM fields, coupled with mentorship and internships.
Already, through a partnership with UNICEF, Airtel has connected over 1,800 schools, reached more than one million students, and trained over 17,000 teachers in digital education across its 14 markets of operation.
The foundation will also expand its Employee Volunteer Programme, leveraging Airtel staff expertise to support community projects. From Nigeria to Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the initiatives will scale across all its countries of operation in the 2025/26 financial year.
Speaking on the broader impact, Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar, noted that the foundation aligns with the company’s philosophy that business growth must go hand in hand with community development.
“We cannot thrive in a place that is not thriving. Helping to connect the unconnected, banking the unbanked, and enabling businesses and economies to grow are the most significant objectives of our business,” Taldar said.
With its ambitious 2030 vision, Airtel Africa Foundation is positioning itself as a key player in advancing inclusive growth, equipping young Africans and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed in the digital economy.
