Airtel Malawi MD Aashish Dutt and MUST Vice-Chancellor Prof. Address Malata
* Through Airtel Malawi Plc in partnership with Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST)
* 25 students have been selected to receive full scholarships for under—graduate studies in science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM) disciplines
* In addition to covering tuition fees, beneficiaries will receive hostel accommodation support, a monthly stipend, monthly data bundles and a laptop
By Duncan Mlanjira
Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Malawi Plc and in partnership with the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), has successfully concluded the beneficiary selection process for the Airtel Nzeru Tech Scholarship Programme.
In a statement from Lilongwe, Airtel Malawi unveils that 25 students have been selected to receive full scholarships for under-graduate studies in science, technology, engineering & mathematics (STEM) disciplines.
Launched in January 2026 by Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc, the Airtel Nzeru Tech Scholarship Programme “forms part of the Foundation’s wider Airtel Africa Fellowship, which promotes higher education and careers in STEM for young Africans”.
The statement adds that, the programme — implemented through Airtel Malawi in partnership with MUST — “was established to support academically gifted but financially disadvantaged students pursuing STEM programmes.
It will be helping expand access to quality education while contributing to Malawi’s digital skills and innovation pipeline.
The selected cohort comprises 25 academically gifted students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, including 8 female and 17 male students, who were selected based on academic merit and enrolment in eligible STEM programmes at MUST.
MUST Campus at Goliati in Thyolo
The students are enrolled in approved STEM programmes, including Bachelor of Engineering in Sustainable Energy Engineering (Honours); Bachelor of Science in Business Information Technology; Bachelor of Science in Disaster Risk Management; Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences; Bachelor of Science in Geo-Information and Earth Observation Science.
Along with Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems & Security; Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Manufacturing Engineering; Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Metallurgy & Materials Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Science Education — whose beneficiaries will commence their studies when the MUST 2026/27 academic year begins on August 31, 2026.
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Airtel Malawi Managing Director, Aashish Dutt, said the scholarship programme “reflects Airtel Africa Foundation’s long-term commitment to empowering Malawi’s youth through education and technology”.
“We are delighted to announce the first cohort of beneficiaries under the Airtel Nzeru Tech Scholarship Programme.
“These young people represent the future of Malawi’s digital economy. Through the support of Airtel Africa Foundation, this scholarship is not only investing in their academic success but also in the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers and technology leaders who will help shape Malawi’s future,” said Dutt.
The launch of the Airtel Malawi and MUST partnership
The statement adds that the scholarship programme is designed to remove financial barriers that prevent talented students from accessing higher education.
In addition to covering tuition fees, beneficiaries will receive hostel accommodation support, a monthly stipend, monthly data bundles and a laptop to ensure they have the connectivity and resources needed to excel in their studies.
MUST Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mauakowa Malata — a champion of assisting underprivileged students to pursue STEM academic a champion of assisting underprivileged students to pursue STEM academic programme — commended the partnership and congratulated the selected students.
“The Airtel Nzeru Tech Scholarship Programme is a transformative investment in Malawi’s human capital,” she said. “We congratulate the successful beneficiaries and thank Airtel Africa Foundation, Airtel Malawi and MUST for their commitment to creating opportunities for talented young people who may otherwise struggle to access higher education.
“We are confident these students will become leaders in science, technology and innovation,” said the Vice-Chancellor.
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According to the two institutions, the selection process was jointly conducted to ensure transparency and fairness — “with candidates drawn from financially disadvantaged backgrounds selected based on academic merit and enrolment in eligible STEM programmes”.
“The Airtel Nzeru Tech Scholarship Programme forms part of Airtel Africa Foundation’s broader commitment to expanding access to quality education, promoting digital inclusion and supporting young Africans to build careers in STEM.
“By removing financial barriers and providing students with the resources they need to succeed, the initiative is helping develop skilled professionals who can contribute to Malawi’s innovation and technology ecosystem,” said the statement.
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