IIT Madras Zanzibar Welcomes Airtel Africa Fellowship Program to Support Future Innovators

The Airtel Africa Foundation has launched the ‘Airtel Africa Fellowship Program’ at IIT Madras Zanzibar to support deserving students from various socio-economic backgrounds pursuing a BSc in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. 

The Airtel Africa Foundation has launched the ‘Airtel Africa Fellowship Program’ for undergraduate students at IIT Madras Zanzibar, the first international campus established by an IIT. This fellowship is designed to support talented students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence program at IIT Madras, Zanzibar. With an initial investment of US$500,000, the program will provide financial aid to 10 undergraduate students for the full duration of their 4-year course.

Recipients of this scholarship will be known as ‘Airtel Africa Fellows’. They will receive 100% of their college fees i.e. US$12,000 as per the course fee structure of the Institute for a 4-year program. Additionally, to cover the living expenses cost, US$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 of Africa.

Airtel Africa Foundation

Established in 2024 with a mission to promote a thriving Africa, the Airtel Africa Foundation is committed to driving digital and financial inclusion across the continent, with a strong emphasis on education and environmental sustainability. The Airtel Africa Fellowship Program is its inaugural initiative aimed at expanding educational opportunities for outstanding students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, enrolled at IIT Madras Zanzibar. The fellowship is open to students from 14 African nations, including Nigeria, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Niger, Chad, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Madagascar, and Seychelles.

Talking about the fellowship scheme, Zanzibar’s Minister of Education and Vocational Training, 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 to this support from Airtel Africa Foundation, which will enhance our own efforts in this direction.”

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 Director of IIT Madras, Prof. V. Kamakotisaid, “IIT Madras is committed to establishing a world class campus in Zanzibar. We are delighted that Airtel Africa Foundation is joining hands with us in this effort. We look forward to welcoming the second cohort of bright young students to the IITM Zanzibar campus this year. We are immensely grateful to Airtel Africa Foundation for providing financial assistance for these future global leaders.”

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