UNICEF has announced plans to provide high-speed internet to up to 500,000 schools and essential public facilities across Africa. The initiative aims to bridge the continent’s digital divide by connecting children and communities in rural and low-income areas, where limited connectivity has historically restricted access to digital education and economic opportunities.
The programme will consolidate demand from 54 African countries under a single procurement framework, replacing fragmented national contracts with a group purchasing model. This approach is designed to attract large-scale investment from internet service providers and ensure long-term, sustainable connectivity solutions, offering telecom companies greater market visibility and revenue certainty.
Connectivity will be prioritised for schools and communities most in need, ensuring that students gain access to modern digital tools, including artificial intelligence, and that public facilities can leverage technology for improved services. UNICEF’s experience in managing large-scale procurement programmes, such as its multibillion-dollar vaccine purchases, provides a proven model for executing this ambitious initiative effectively.
UNICEF will act as the primary procurement agent for participating governments, working alongside partners such as The World Bank, Smart Africa, and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Suppliers will be required to deliver fully managed services, including reliable network uptime, power continuity in areas with unstable electricity, and built-in cybersecurity protections, particularly for children’s safety online.
The rollout will begin with a request for expressions of interest, open until March 27, 2026, followed by a competitive tender in the second quarter of 2026. By treating Africa as a single market, UNICEF aims to make digital education and infrastructure accessible, inclusive, and sustainable, empowering the next generation with the tools needed to thrive in a connected world.
