The Airtel Africa Foundation has reported a strong first full year of impact, investing $6.2 million across key development areas including education, financial inclusion, digital inclusion, and environmental sustainability. The report highlights the Foundation’s expanding role in supporting Africa’s digital and socio-economic transformation agenda.
Education emerged as the largest focus area of investment, with significant progress made in expanding school connectivity across the continent. In partnership with UNICEF, the Foundation connected 1,028 additional schools to the internet during the reporting period, increasing the total to 3,296 connected schools across 13 African markets.
This expansion has had a broad social impact, supporting more than 2 million learners and nearly 39,000 educators. By improving digital access in schools, the initiative is helping to bridge learning gaps, enhance teaching capabilities, and expand opportunities for students in underserved communities.
In addition to connectivity, the Foundation scaled up access to digital learning resources through 64 zero-rated educational platforms. These platforms reached over 11 million learners, demonstrating the powerful role of zero-rating in overcoming data affordability barriers and enabling wider participation in digital education ecosystems.
The School Adoption Programme also contributed to on-the-ground transformation, with seven public schools fully refurbished and 43 others undergoing renovation. Through a combination of infrastructure upgrades, digital access, and student-centered support, the Foundation continues to strengthen education systems while advancing inclusive digital development across Africa.
