The Airtel Africa Foundation has unveiled the Airtel Africa Fellowship Program. This prestigious scholarship initiative actively supports undergraduate students at IIT Madras Zanzibar. The first international campus of an Indian Institute of Technology [IIT]. With an initial funding of $500,000, the fellowship will provide full financial support to 10 students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence over the four-year program.
Advancing Digital and Financial Inclusion
Founded in 2024 with a vision to foster a prosperous Africa. The Airtel Africa Foundation actively advances digital and financial inclusion across the continent, with a key focus on education and environmental protection.
The Fellowship targets talented students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds across 14 African countries. They include Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, and others. Each selected student, known as an ‘Airtel Africa Fellow,’ will receive 100% coverage of their tuition fees, valued at $12,000. An additional $500 per year to help with living expenses. This initiative aims to nurture the next generation of technology leaders who will drive innovation and contribute to Africa’s economic growth.
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Commenting on the fellowship scheme, Zanzibar’s Minister of Education and Vocational Training, H.E. Ms Lela Mohamed Mussa said, “IITM Zanzibar is charting a wonderful path in technical education in the region. Providing access to this high-quality education to students from Tanzania and the rest of the continent, who are topping the IITM Zanzibar screening and test processes, through financial assistance, is an important priority for us. We are thankful for this support from the foundation, which will enhance our own efforts in this direction.”
Financial and Digital Inclusion, and Environmental Protection
“We are excited to partner with IIT Madras Zanzibar to offer young Africans access to quality education opportunities. This initiative aims to contribute towards creating a prosperous and sustainable continent. We look forward to creating even more opportunities not just in education, but also in financial and digital inclusion, and environmental protection”. Said The Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr. Olusegun Ogunsanya.
The Director of IIT Madras, Prof. V. Kamakoti said, “IIT Madras is committed to establishing a world-class campus in Zanzibar. We are delighted that the foundation is joining hands with us in this effort. We are immensely grateful to the foundation for providing financial assistance for these future global leaders.”
