Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc, on Tuesday unveiled its plan to directly improve the lives of 10 million people across the continent by 2030. The ambitious strategy will be implemented through four main pillars: Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection and Digital Inclusion, grouped under the FEED framework.
Speaking during the launch, Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr Segun Ogunsanya, said the organisation’s mission goes beyond donations, aiming instead to create sustainable opportunities for growth.
“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.
“This is a strategic, measurable commitment to unlocking the continent’s demographic dividend,” Ogunsanya stated.
The Foundation explained that its programmes are designed to build a cycle of empowerment. Among these is the Connecting Schools initiative, which provides free internet connectivity and devices to learners. Another major project is the Airtel Africa Fellowship, which offers full undergraduate scholarships in technology and STEM fields, along with mentorship and internship opportunities to prepare young Africans for the future of work.
Airtel Africa Foundation pointed to its partnership with UNICEF as a clear example of its impact. Through this collaboration, more than 1,800 schools have been connected, over one million students have benefitted, and more than 17,000 teachers have been trained in digital education. These achievements span across Airtel’s 14 markets of operation.
The Foundation also plans to expand its Employee Volunteer Programme, which mobilises the skills of Airtel staff to directly support community development. For the 2025/26 financial year, the Foundation has set specific growth targets, ensuring that its initiatives reach all operating countries, including Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, emphasised the company’s commitment to social impact, noting that the Foundation was created as a vehicle for transformation. “We cannot thrive in a place that is not thriving. This understanding is the very reason the Airtel Africa Foundation was born. It is our vehicle to catalyse transformation, by systematically investing in the pillars that underpin a resilient and dynamic society.
“We have remained dedicated to transforming lives both as a business imperative as well as our overarching philosophy. For us, helping to connect the unconnected, banking the unbanked and enabling businesses and economies to thrive are the three most significant objectives of our business,” Taldar said.