Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Airtel Africa Foundation, the charitable arm of Airtel Africa plc, has launched a long-term plan to transform the lives of 10 million people on the continent by 2030. The ambitious initiative will be realized under its four strategic pillars: Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion (FEED).
Addressing the launch, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Foundation, called the initiative a breakpoint in shaping the future of Africa. “Our 2030 vision is a reimagined Africa in which over 10 million lives are improved directly by our interventions. We are giving resources, yes, but we are also creating pools of talent and propelling innovation to ensure that the digital revolution does not exclude any African,” he said.
The flagship initiatives at the core of the plan aim to initiate a virtuous circle of empowerment. Connect Schools will offer free data and devices, while the Airtel Africa Fellowship will provide full technology and STEM undergraduate scholarships. In addition to financial support, the Foundation will offer mentorship and internships to fellows, enabling Africa’s emerging talent to make a lasting impact on the global economy.
The value of such partnerships is already evident in the Foundation’s partnership with UNICEF. With it, they have touched over 1,800 schools, impacted more than a million students, and trained 17,000 teachers in e-learning across Airtel’s 14 markets on the African continent.
Employee engagement is also at the center of the Foundation’s approach. Through its Employee Volunteer Program, Airtel employees will donate time and skills to community initiatives, delivering a wider impact beyond simply providing money. For the 2025/26 financial year, programs will expand in all operating countries, including Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Airtel Africa CEO Sunil Taldar reaffirmed the firm’s enduring social heritage. “We cannot thrive in a place that is not thriving. The Foundation is our vehicle to make a difference, by investing purposefully in the foundations of a strong and vibrant society. Closing the unconnected, banking the unbanked, and making business work are business goals no less, but more significantly, they are central to our philosophy,” he said.
By connecting business strategy with social responsibility, Airtel Africa Foundation is becoming a driver of inclusive growth. Not only does its FEED strategy promise digital empowerment but also the creation of more resilient communities, protection of the environment, and access opportunities for millions of Africans.
