Airtel Africa Foundation has joined forces with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), and Cisco to advance digital skills and inclusion in Rwanda through the Digital Transformation Centres (DTC) Initiative.
The partnership seeks to empower underserved communities by providing free internet connectivity and digital training, helping citizens participate in the digital economy in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Under the collaboration, ITU will provide training content and facilitate regional networking opportunities to promote digital literacy and inclusion.
The Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Rwanda, will equip DTC sites with routers, Wi-Fi, and data packages at no cost to ensure smooth delivery of digital education programmes.
Speaking at the signing, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director Sujay Chakrabarti described the partnership as a milestone in empowering Rwanda’s youth through collaboration between government, private sector, and international organizations.
He said the partnership marks a significant step forward in bridging the digital divide and empowering Rwandan youth with digital skills, adding that it is a powerful example of what happens when government, private sector, and international organizations come together to empower communities.
Esi Asare Prah, Head of Programs at Airtel Africa Foundation, said the initiative underscores Airtel’s commitment to supporting national development goals and closing the digital gap.
She said they 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 ITU, said the collaboration in Rwanda will serve as a model for expanding similar digital empowerment efforts across Africa.
He said the partnership with Airtel Africa Foundation begins in Rwanda, where the two organizations are joining forces to strengthen digital skills in underserved communities.
The initiative, he added, lays the groundwork for broader regional collaboration.
RISA CEO Antoine Sebera highlighted Rwanda’s proactive role in digital transformation, noting that 900 million Africans remain unconnected.
He said the partnership shows Rwanda’s intention to ensure no one is left behind and that the centres will play a transformative role in preparing young people to leverage AI and digital technologies.
The initiative supports Rwanda’s ambition to become a knowledge-based economy and complements national efforts such as the Connect Rwanda programme, which promotes smartphone access and digital literacy among marginalized groups.
