adverts
Telecommunications giant Airtel Africa has unveiled plans to establish technology hubs in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of its mission to boost digital skills and innovation across the 14 African countries where it operates.
The announcement was made by Segun Ogunsanya, CEO of Airtel Africa Foundation, during a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday.
Ogunsanya explained that the hubs will nurture tech-savvy talent and provide resources for startups in fintech, software development, and digital solutions.
adverts
“Nigeria is one of our most important and largest markets, and it is strategic to Airtel’s vision of impacting 10 million lives by 2030. Building this tech hub is one of the ways we will touch lives and foster innovation,” he said.
The Nigeria hub will complement government initiatives such as the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, aimed at training the next generation of software engineers and IT specialists. Airtel Africa Foundation currently supports 25,000 Nigerians enrolled in the programme, Ogunsanya added.
The Group is already engaging with partners and other technology companies to deliver the hubs, with construction planned first in Nigeria before expanding to the DRC.
Sunil Taldar, CEO of Airtel Africa, confirmed that the Group has provided a seed fund to its foundation to drive tailored interventions under its four strategic pillars: Financial Empowerment, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion (FEED).
“Our 2030 vision is a transformed Africa where over 10 million lives are directly improved through our interventions,” Ogunsanya emphasised. “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.”
The Foundation’s targeted programmes include:
- Connecting Schools – providing free internet connectivity and digital devices.
- Airtel Africa Fellowship – offering full undergraduate scholarships in STEM and technology fields, alongside mentorship and internships.
These initiatives are part of a long-term strategy to bridge Africa’s digital divide while creating opportunities for young innovators.
In March 2025, the Nigerian government announced that it had received a $690,000 grant from the Airtel Africa Foundation to strengthen the 3MTT programme.
According to Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Dr Bosun Tijani, the funds are being deployed to train and empower Nigerians with in-demand technical skills.
This follows a similar commitment in November 2023, when the government signed a $690,000 agreement with telecom infrastructure company IHS Tower to build learning communities nationwide for the same initiative.
Click the link Puretvonline.com | WhatsApp Channel to join the WhatsApp channel
GOT A STORY?
Contact/WhatsApp: +233243201960 or manuelnkansah33@gmail.com
