Kigali, Rwanda – October 24, 2025: The Airtel Africa Foundation has entered into a joint partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), and Cisco to strengthen capacity and digital skills development under the Digital Transformation Centres (DTC) Initiative.
This partnership aims to bridge the digital divide and promote digital inclusion by providing free internet connectivity and digital skills training to underserved communities in Rwanda — advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Under the Initiative, ITU will provide digital skills training content to the DTCs, along with other regional capacity development activities. In addition, ITU will facilitate networking opportunities to promote digital literacy and inclusion, enabling access to global expertise and best practices.
Speaking to the press, Mr. Sujay Chakrabarti, Managing Director of Airtel Rwanda, said:
“Today’s partnership between the Airtel Africa Foundation, ITU, RISA, and Cisco marks a significant step forward in bridging the digital divide and empowering Rwandan youth with digital skills. This collaboration is a powerful example of what happens when government, the private sector, and international organizations come together to empower communities.”
The Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Rwanda, will equip DTC locations with routers, Wi-Fi, and data packages at no cost, ensuring effective training delivery and access to digital learning platforms.
The landmark partnership aligns with Rwanda’s ambition to become a knowledge-based economy and complements national programmes such as Connect Rwanda, which promotes access to smartphones and digital services for underserved communities.
Ms. Esi Asare Prah, Head of Programs at Airtel Africa Foundation, speaking on behalf of Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chair of the Airtel Africa Foundation, said:
“This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting national development goals and closing the digital divide through meaningful collaboration. We are honoured to partner with ITU to bring this vision to life and contribute to Rwanda’s journey toward becoming a digitally empowered society.”
Dr. Emmanuel Mannaseh, Regional Director for the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), added:
“Our partnership with Airtel Africa Foundation begins in Rwanda, where we are joining forces to strengthen digital skills in underserved communities and advance connectivity. This initiative lays the groundwork for broader regional collaboration, as we aim to expand this work to other Digital Transformation Centres across Africa.”
Mr. Antoine Sebera, CEO of the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), noted:
“What we are seeing here today is partnership in action. Statistics show that 900 million people in Africa remain unconnected — extra effort must be made to ensure no one is left behind. This initiative positions Rwanda a step ahead by intentionally involving the youth. These centres will play a transformative role in helping young people leverage AI and thrive in a digitally driven world.”
About Airtel Africa Foundation
Airtel Africa Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc, a leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services, operating in 14 countries across Africa. The Foundation’s mission is to empower Africa through Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion.
For more information, visit Airtel Africa Foundation or connect with us on LinkedIn.
About the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the United Nations agency for digital technologies, driving innovation for people and the planet. With 194 Member States and over 1,000 corporate, academic, and civil society members, ITU coordinates global use of radio spectrum and satellite orbits, establishes international technology standards, and promotes universal connectivity and sustainable digital transformation.
Learn more: www.itu.int.
About the Digital Transformation Centres (DTC) Initiative
Launched in September 2019 by the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT) in partnership with Cisco, the DTC Initiative supports countries in strengthening the digital capacities of their citizens, particularly in underserved communities. It operates through a global network of national institutions known as Digital Transformation Centres (DTCs), which are mandated to deliver digital skills programmes within their countries.
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