New alliance targets Rwanda’s digital divide with free internet and skills training
Kigali, Rwanda — In a move aimed at advancing Rwanda’s digital transformation agenda, Airtel Africa Foundation has entered into a partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA), and Cisco to strengthen digital skills development across the country.
The collaboration, under the Digital Transformation Centres (DTC) Initiative, focuses on closing the digital divide by offering free internet connectivity and digital training to underserved communities. The initiative aligns with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly goals related to digital inclusion and equitable access to technology.
Under the agreement, Airtel Africa Foundation, through Airtel Rwanda, will provide routers, Wi-Fi, and data packages to the DTC locations at no cost, ensuring participants can access online learning platforms and digital resources. ITU will contribute training content and facilitate regional networking opportunities to promote knowledge-sharing and best practices in digital literacy.
Speaking at the launch, Airtel Rwanda Managing Director, Sujay Chakrabarti, described the partnership as a milestone for Rwanda’s digital ecosystem. “Today’s partnership between Airtel Africa Foundation, ITU, RISA, and Cisco marks a significant step forward in bridging the digital divide and empowering Rwandan youth with digital skills,” he said.
Echoing that sentiment, Esi Asare Prah, Head of Programs at Airtel Africa Foundation, said the collaboration underscores the organization’s commitment to national development priorities. “This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting national development goals and closing the digital divide through meaningful collaboration,” she noted, speaking on behalf of Dr. Segun Ogunsanya, Chair of the Airtel Africa Foundation.
Dr. Emmanuel Mannaseh, ITU’s Regional Director, said the initiative’s launch in Rwanda is part of a broader vision to expand digital training opportunities across Africa. “Our partnership with Airtel Africa Foundation begins in Rwanda, where we are joining forces to strengthen digital skills in underserved communities to advance connectivity. This initiative lays the groundwork for broader regional collaboration,” he said.
RISA CEO, Antoine Sebera, highlighted the importance of inclusive partnerships in achieving Rwanda’s digital transformation goals. “What we are seeing here today is partnership in action,” he said. “Statistics show that 900 million people in Africa remain unconnected, and extra effort needs to be made to ensure no one is left behind. These centres will play a transformative role in educating youth to leverage AI and participate fully in the digital economy.”
The initiative complements Rwanda’s national programmes such as Connect Rwanda, which promotes access to smartphones and digital services, furthering the country’s ambition to build a knowledge-based economy.
