Airtel Africa foundation unveils 2030 plan to impact 10 million lives

Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa Plc, has unveiled an ambitious plan to directly improve the lives of 10 million people across the continent by 2030 through initiatives focused on financial empowerment, education, environmental protection, and digital inclusion.

Announcing the strategy in Lagos on Tuesday, Chairman of the Foundation, Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, said the 2030 vision goes beyond donations, aiming to build sustainable systems that drive innovation and unlock Africa’s demographic dividend.

“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 a pipeline of talent and fostering innovation to ensure the global digital revolution leaves no African behind,” Ogunsanya said.

The Foundation plans to deliver its mission through flagship programmes such as Connecting Schools, which provides free connectivity and devices, and the Airtel Africa Fellowship, offering full undergraduate scholarships in technology and STEM fields, complemented by mentorship and internships.

A major highlight of its impact so far is its partnership with UNICEF, which has connected more than 1,800 schools, reached over one million students, and trained more than 17,000 teachers across Airtel’s 14 markets of operation.

The Foundation will also strengthen its Employee Volunteer Programme, enabling Airtel staff to contribute skills and time to community projects. For the 2025/26 financial year, it plans to scale activities across all 14 countries where Airtel Africa operates, including Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Airtel Africa’s Chief Executive Officer, Sunil Taldar, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the Foundation’s mission, stressing that business growth and societal well-being are intertwined.

“We cannot thrive in a place that is not thriving. This understanding is the very reason the Airtel Africa Foundation was born. It is our vehicle to catalyse transformation by systematically investing in the pillars that underpin a resilient and dynamic society,” Taldar said.

He added that Airtel Africa’s broader business objectives connecting the unconnected, banking the unbanked, and enabling businesses to thrive are aligned with the Foundation’s agenda to foster inclusive growth across Africa.