Airtel Africa through the Airtel Africa Foundation has officially set in motion the Airtel Africa Fellowship Program at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) in Zanzibar, marking the start of a transformative technology educational journey for students across 14 Airtel Africa countries.

 The Airtel Africa Fellowship Program initiative offers world-class education in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, fully funding 10 undergraduates by covering tuition fees in full i.e. US$12,000 as per the course fee structure of the Institute and an annual US$500 stipend for living expenses throughout their 4-year Bachelor of Science program

The Airtel Africa Fellowship program underscores Airtel’s commitment to advancing digital and financial inclusion across the continent with the aim of Empowering Africa’s Future, Today. 

Speaking at the event, Dinesh Balsingh, the Managing Director of Airtel Tanzania, who represented the Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Segun Ogunsanya

said: "The Airtel Africa Fellowship Program is a crucial part of our broader sustainability and social responsibility efforts that aim to build a better tomorrow by empowering Africans. By providing full financial support to our deserving youth, we are addressing the digital divide and unlocking opportunities for future of Africa leaders in the technology space.

 The Airtel Africa Fellowship not only empowers students to excel in advanced technology fields but also paves the way for future initiatives that will uplift communities not only in Tanzania but across Africa."

Lela Mohamed Mussa, Zanzibar’s Minister for Education and Vocational Training, emphasized the Airtel Africa Fellowship impact: " Zanzibar is becoming an education hub for Africa. With the arrival of IITM, this is possible because of the forward thinking of companies like Airtel who are using Zanzibar and IITM partnership to support and create future African technology leaders.  The Airtel Africa Fellowship Program we launch today is a lifeline for talented students who aspire to participate in the technology space for their future careers.

The Airtel Africa Fellowship Program provides invaluable opportunities for Tanzanian students and equips them with the skills needed to excel in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. By investing in education and digital innovation at higher level, Airtel is playing a crucial role in preparing our young minds to contribute to Tanzania’s growth and Africa’s development as a whole truly Empowering Africa’s Future, Today as their theme stands. I would like to call for more corporate members to follow this exemplary Airtel foundation initiative that aligns perfectly with our government’s efforts to bridge the digital divide.”

 Deputy Secretary General Ministry of Infrastructure, Communication and Transport of Zanzibar, Makame Machano Haji also stressed the critical role of digital education: "Access to education in fields like Data Science and Artificial Intelligence is essential for Tanzania’s economic progress. The Airtel Africa Fellowship is a powerful step forward in equipping our students with the tools to lead Tanzania’s digital transformation. This partnership between Airtel Africa and IIT Madras Zanzibar highlights the value of private sector collaboration in achieving our digital ambitions."

Prof.Preeti Aghalayan, Dean of IIT Madras Zanzibar Campus, expressed her gratitude for Airtel Africa’s partnership: “IITM is a globally renowned and recognized institution founded in 1959 and has produced several high-technology professionals who are today CEO’s of reputable companies around the world in technology sector. Today, we are honored to collaborate with Airtel Africa Foundation in launching this transformative Fellowship program. By supporting students from across the continent, we are fostering academic excellence and driving innovation. Together, we are building a future where African students can thrive in the global tech industry." 

On his part the Indian High Commission H.E  Bishwadip Dey highlighted the alignment between Tanzania's vision for digital education and India's vision for 2047 in digital inclusion: "India’s vision for 2047 is grounded in universal digital access, and we are delighted to see a partnership model between Airtel, IITM, and Government that aim to build future tech leaders of Africa. The Airtel Africa Fellowship program is a powerful example of the collaboration between our nations to bridge the digital divide and foster technological innovation. We thank Airtel, IIT Madras and The Government of Zanzibar for harnessing the full potential of innovation through this noble initiative in the ICT sector. "

The Airtel Africa Fellowship Program solidifies Airtel’s long-term dedication to empowering African communities through education and digital innovation. By offering life-changing opportunities to students, the program is set to contribute to the future of technology and economic development across the continent.