AIRTEL Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel, has unveiled plans to directly improve the lives of 10 million Africans by 2030.
Dr Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of Airtel Africa Foundation, announced this during a world press conference hosted by Airtel Africa and the Foundation on Tuesday in Lagos.
He explained that the plan would be executed under four core pillars: Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion (FEED).
Ogunsanya said the vision was to foster a transformed continent where innovation and opportunity spread widely across communities.
“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 talent pipelines and fostering innovation to ensure Africa fully participates in the global digital revolution,” Ogunsanya said.
According to him, the commitment is strategic and measurable, focused on unlocking Africa’s demographic dividend.
The chairman said targeted programmes would include Connecting Schools, which provides free connectivity and digital devices.
He added that another key project is the Airtel Africa Fellowship, offering undergraduate scholarships in STEM and technology-related fields.
“The Fellowship would also provide mentorship and internship opportunities for beneficiaries,” he noted.
Ogunsanya highlighted existing milestones achieved through the Foundation’s partnership with UNICEF.
He said the collaboration had connected over 1,800 schools, benefitted more than one million students, and trained 17,000 teachers in digital education across 14 countries.
The chairman disclosed that the Foundation would expand its Employee Volunteer Programme, enabling Airtel workers to contribute their skills to community service.
“For the 2025/2026 financial year, we have set expansion targets, with programmes now active across all our operating countries,” Ogunsanya explained.
He added that these countries include Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Supporting the initiative, Mr Sunil Taldar, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, said the Foundation was established as a vehicle for social transformation.
“We cannot thrive in a place that is not thriving. This reality inspired the creation of Airtel Africa Foundation,” Taldar said.
He reaffirmed Airtel Africa’s commitment to investing in pillars that support a resilient society.
“For us, helping to connect the unconnected, banking the unbanked, and enabling businesses and economies to thrive remain our most significant objectives,” Taldar emphasised. (NAN)