Kenya to benefit from Airtel, UNICEF digital learning partnership

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 1 – Kenya is among thirteen African countries set to benefit from a five-year pan African partnership between Airtel Africa and UNICEF that is aimed to accelerate the roll-out of digital learning through connecting schools to the internet and ensuring free access to learning platforms.

The Telecommunications and mobile money service provider will inject USD 57 million for the ‘Reimagine Education’, a global initiative launched by UNICEF in 2020.

Other beneficiaries of the program include;  Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

The initiative is among others, aimed at calling for public and private sector investment in digital learning as an essential service for every child and young person across the globe.

“The programme will call on technology and expertise, in addition to direct financial support to connect schools and communities to the internet, enable free access to online educational content for learners,” a statement issued read.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said that by championing digital education for children in Africa, this partnership with Airtel Africa will help put children’s learning back on track.

“Hundreds of millions of children in Africa have seen their education disrupted or put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said

Olusegun Ogunsanya, CEO of Airtel Africa also said this partnership with UNICEF will enable the firm to accelerate results since it coincides with the launch of our new sustainability strategy which lays out our commitment to education.

“We are excited to be working with UNICEF to advance the education agenda on the continent through facilitating connectivity and online access to play a role in driving change,” he added.