Malawian learners who have benefited from the high profile programme
* As Airtel Malawi earmarks to connect 100 schools in the partnership with 17 schools already so far
* To date, 18,800 students from government schools across the country have benefited from the initiative
* With 5 e-learning websites zero rated for Airtel Malawi’s subscribers
By Duncan Mlanjira
The five-year partnership between Airtel Africa and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) — aimed at transforming education across the continent — has connected over 1,500 schools to the internet, trained 17,000 teachers, and reached a million learners with quality digital education resources across 13 African countries.
The leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services across 14 African countries, made the announced today, November 20 with its subsidiary, Airtel Malawi Plc also indicating that it has successfully connected 17 schools and plans to connect 10 more by December 2024.
In a statement, Airtel Malawi indicates that to date, 18,800 students from government schools across the country have benefited from the initiative and it is currently working with UNICEF and Ministry of Education to conduct capacity building sessions with teachers from the benefitting schools in order to enhance their ICT skills.
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The Airtel Africa-UNICEF partnership was launched in 2021 as part of Airtel Africa’s US$57 million commitment to support the development of education and bridge the digital divide for vulnerable children in remote communities in collaboration with African governments.
The statement says since the commencement of the partnership, Airtel Africa — together with its 13 other operations across Africa — has prioritised the accessibility of online learning resources, including zero-rated educational platforms and teacher training, to support equitable learning opportunities for children in Africa.
Apart from Malawi, other countries transforming education with digital learning through the partnership are, Congo Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Madagascar, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
In marking this year’s World’s Children’s Day, Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar is quoted as saying: “Our mission is to transform lives, and through our collaboration with UNICEF, we are witnessing the profound impact that connectivity and digital resources can have on Africa’s children and teachers.
“For every school we have connected and for each teacher trained on using these digital tools, we are taking tangible steps toward realising our commitment to bridging the digital divide, advancing educational equality and restating our commitment to the relentless pursuit of a better future for African children on the continent.
Taldar added that by equipping these schools with internet connectivity and training teachers on how to use the digital tools, “Airtel Africa and UNICEF are providing Africa’s children, particularly those in underserved and remote regions, with the digital tools and skills they need to thrive in a technology-driven world”.
“This is why we are celebrating with the children on this special occasion of World Children’s Day, specially dedicated to them and all the effort aimed at securing and improving their future.”
Sunil Taldar
On his part on the success of the partnership, while marking this year’s World’s Children’s Day, Airtel Malawi’s acting Managing Director, Abdul Shaik is quoted as saying: ”It’s amazing to witness the positive impact the project has had on learners and as well as teachers in Malawi with most of the benefiting schools showcasing an improved pass rate in the national examinations.”
Shaik emphasised that advancing digital learning in government schools is cultivating a culture of inclusivity, preparing learners for the future ensuring that no child is left behind.
Abdul Khayyum Shaik
Airtel Africa’s presence in the 14 countries is primarily in East, Central and West Africa — offering an integrated suite of telecommunications solutions to its subscribers, including mobile voice and data services as well as mobile money services both nationally and internationally.
The Group aims to continue providing a simple and intuitive customer experience through streamlined customer journeys.
Headquartered in Lilongwe, Airtel Malawi Plc is the country’s leading mobile service provider connecting millions of Malawians to the world through unrivalled data and voice solutions on 4G/LTE, 2G and 3G wireless networks and high speed fixed broadband internet services.
Established in Malawi in 2010 as a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel International, Airtel Malawi also offers the largest mobile money service in the country through Airtel Money.
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