Airtel Africa Foundation aims to transform 10m lives by 2030

By InstinctBusiness Sep 29, 20250

Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc, has launched an ambitious strategy to directly improve the lives of 10 million people across the continent by 2030.

The initiative centers on four core pillars: Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion (FEED), marking a bold step toward sustainable development.

Sunil Taldar, Chief Executive Officer of Airtel Africa, emphasized the business imperative driving this vision. “We cannot thrive in a place that is not thriving. This understanding is the very reason the Airtel Africa Foundation was born,” Taldar said.

“It is our vehicle to catalyze transformation by systematically investing in the pillars that underpin a resilient and dynamic society. For us, connecting the unconnected, banking the unbanked, and enabling businesses and economies to thrive are our top priorities.”

Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, hailed the strategy as a deliberate effort to unlock Africa’s potential. “Our 2030 vision is a transformed Africa where over 10 million lives are directly improved through our interventions,” he stated.

“We are not just donating resources; we are building a pipeline of talent and fostering innovation to ensure the global digital revolution leaves no African behind. This is a strategic, measurable commitment to unlocking the continent’s demographic dividend.”

The Foundation’s mission includes targeted programs such as ‘Connecting Schools,’ which provides free internet and devices to educational institutions, and the ‘Airtel Africa Fellowship,’ offering full undergraduate scholarships in technology and STEM fields with mentorship and internships. Its ongoing partnership with UNICEF has already connected over 1,800 schools, benefiting more than one million students and training 17,000 teachers across Airtel’s 14 markets.

For the 2025/26 financial year, the Foundation will mobilize its Employee Volunteer Programme, deploying staff skills across all operating countries, including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Malawi, and Rwanda. Stay tuned for updates as this transformative journey unfolds!