Education is the cornerstone of opportunity, yet for many children across Africa, the learning environment itself presents a barrier. Overcrowded classrooms, a lack of basic furniture, and inadequate water and sanitation facilities can hinder a child's ability to learn and thrive. The Airtel Africa Foundation’s Adopt-a-School Programme addresses this fundamental issue head-on. We believe that learning with dignity is a right, not a privilege. This initiative goes beyond simply providing digital tools; it takes a holistic approach to transform entire school ecosystems, creating safe, enabling, and inspiring environments where children can flourish. Our goal is to adopt and holistically upgrade schools across our operating countries. In each adopted school, we focus on three interconnected areas:

• Infrastructure & Dignity: We renovate and construct classrooms, provide essential furniture, and install critical water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. A clean, safe, and well-equipped environment is the first step toward dignified learning.
• Digital and STEM Acceleration: We establish dedicated smart classrooms and IT labs, equipping them with computers and internet connectivity. This bridges the gap between our connectivity initiatives and the physical tools needed for hands-on digital and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education.
• Inspiration and Mentorship: The programme is brought to life by our people. Airtel Africa employees volunteer their time to mentor students, lead co-curricular activities, and expose learners to diverse career paths, helping them to dream bigger.

Through the Adopt-a-School Programme, we are not just building classrooms, we are building futures, confidence, and the foundational spaces where Africa’s next generation of leaders can begin their journey.