The Airtel Africa Foundation has launched a joint initiative with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), and Cisco to drive digital inclusion and capacity development among underserved communities in Rwanda.
The partnership, implemented under the Digital Transformation Centres (DTC) Initiative, seeks to bridge the digital divide by providing free Internet connectivity and hands-on digital skills training that will help young people, women, and small business owners improve productivity and competitiveness in today’s digital economy.
Through the collaboration, ITU will provide digital training content and facilitate networking opportunities that promote innovation, digital literacy, and knowledge sharing across Africa.
Speaking on the partnership, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director, Sujay Chakrabarti, said the initiative represents a major step in empowering Rwandan youth with the tools needed to thrive in the modern economy.
“Today’s partnership between Airtel Africa Foundation, ITU, RISA, and Cisco marks a significant step forward in bridging the digital divide. It’s a powerful example of what happens when the government, private sector, and international organisations come together to empower communities,” he said.
The Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Rwanda, will provide routers, Wi-Fi access, and data packages at no cost to ensure smooth rollout of the training programmes and facilitate access to e-learning resources.
According to Esi Asare Prah, Head of Programmes at Airtel Africa Foundation, the initiative supports Rwanda’s national goal of becoming a knowledge-based economy while deepening digital access for entrepreneurs and small businesses.
“This partnership complements national programmes such as Connect Rwanda, which promotes access to smartphones and digital services for underserved communities,” she said. “We are honoured to partner with ITU to contribute to Rwanda’s journey toward becoming a digitally empowered society.”
ITU’s Regional Director for Africa, Dr Emmanuel Mannaseh, noted that the partnership would serve as a model for future collaborations across the continent.
“Our partnership with Airtel Africa Foundation begins in Rwanda, where we are strengthening digital skills in underserved communities. This initiative will form the basis for broader collaboration as we expand to other Digital Transformation Centres across Africa,” he said.
Also speaking, RISA CEO, Antoine Sebera, highlighted the importance of the initiative in promoting inclusive digital growth.
“Statistics show that 900 million people in Africa remain unconnected. These centres will play a transformative role in educating youth to leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. Digital transformation is driving the world, and Africa cannot be left behind,” he said.
The Digital Transformation Centres Initiative, a joint effort of ITU and Cisco, is designed to equip individuals and small business owners with essential digital and entrepreneurial skills to boost inclusion, job creation, and innovation across Africa. The partnership with Airtel Africa Foundation ensures that connectivity barriers are removed giving local entrepreneurs, students, and small enterprises the opportunity to learn, innovate, and compete in an increasingly digital world.
