Airtel to support African data scientists with $500,000

The Airtel Africa Foundation has launched a fellowship programme for undergraduate students at IIT Madras Zanzibar, aiming to empower the next generation of data science and artificial intelligence experts across the continent.

According to the foundation in a statement on Sunday, the $500,000 initiative will provide full scholarships to 10 deserving students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, covering tuition fees and living expenses for the entire 4-year course duration.

The foundation said the fellowship was the maiden initiative undertaken to enhance educational opportunities for meritorious students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, enrolled at IIT M Zanzibar.

It noted that the initiative was designed to support students from 14 African countries, namely Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, DRC, Niger, Chad, Congo B, Gabon, Madagascar and the Seychelles.
“Recipients of this scholarship will be known as ‘Airtel Africa Fellows’. They will receive 100 per cent of their college fees, i.e., $12,000, as per the course fee structure of the institute for a 4-year program.
“Additionally, to cover the living expenses cost, $500 will be given to all eligible students. This initiative will aspire to transform, shape lives and nurture future leaders who will contribute to technological innovation and economic growth in Africa,” the firm stated.

The Chairman of the Airtel Africa Foundation, Dr Olusegun Ogunsanya, said, “We are pleased to partner with IIT Madras Zanzibar to provide opportunities for young Africans to access quality education.
“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.”

The Minister of Education and Vocational Training, Zanzibar, Ms Lela 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.”