Airtel Africa has reinforced its commitment to Nigeria’s digital transformation with a landmark pledge to support the training of 25,000 young Nigerians in digital and technology skills. This initiative, part of the government’s 3 Million Technical Talents (3MTT) programme, aims to equip youth from 80 local government areas with essential expertise to thrive in the digital economy.
In further demonstrating its commitment, Airtel Africa also announced the a Fellowship, offering 10 scholarships for Nigerian students pursuing technology-focused courses at Plaksha University in India. The fellowship, spearheaded by the Airtel Africa Foundation, is designed to cultivate cutting-edge digital and innovation skills, helping bridge the talent gap in Nigeria’s tech sector and advancing the country’s goal of becoming a global technology hub.
These transformative initiatives were unveiled during a high-level meeting between Airtel Africa’s Chairman, Sunil Bharti Mittal, KBE, and Airtel Africa CEO, Sunil Taldar, with Nigeria’s President, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the State House in Abuja. Discussions centred on Airtel Africa’s continued investment in Nigeria’s telecom sector and broader digital economy.
“Nigeria remains a strategic market for Airtel Africa, and we are fully committed to supporting the government’s digital transformation agenda,” said Mittal. “Through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and our investment in 3MTT, we ensure Nigerian youth have access to world-class education and digital skills. We commend President Tinubu’s vision for a technologically advanced Nigeria and are dedicated to making it a reality.”
The firm’s commitment to digital education is evident through its partnership with UNICEF under the Reimagine Education Programme. The initiative has successfully onboarded 1,260 schools and over 600,000 students onto digital learning platforms such as the Nigerian Learning Passport (NLP), further expanding access to technology-driven education.
In addition to human capital development, Airtel Africa emphasized its ongoing efforts in network expansion, service quality, and financial inclusion. The company welcomed the recent designation of telecom infrastructure as Critical National Information Infrastructure (CNII), a move seen as essential to safeguarding and expanding Nigeria’s digital backbone. Through its subsidiary, SmartCash PSB, the company also drives financial inclusion, ensuring more Nigerians have access to digital financial services.
“Airtel is deeply invested in Nigeria’s digital future,” said Taldar. “We are expanding our network, driving financial inclusion, and creating opportunities through technology and innovation. Our collaboration with the government through initiatives like the Airtel Africa Fellowship and 3MTT ensures that Nigeria remains at the forefront of Africa’s digital revolution.”
As the company continues to work closely with the Nigerian government and stakeholders, its investments in connectivity, digital skills training, and financial inclusion reaffirm Nigeria’s position as a leader in Africa’s digital economy.
