Airtel Kenya has announced a major step toward advancing digital education access by offering free connectivity to the Kenya Education Cloud and Elimika platforms. The move, launched on World Teachers’ Day, allows teachers and students across the country to access vital learning and training resources without incurring data costs. The initiative is part of Airtel Africa’s $57 million partnership with UNICEF under the “Accessible Learning Content” pillar, which seeks to enhance inclusive, technology-driven education across the continent.
This partnership, implemented in collaboration with the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) and the Ministry of Education, focuses on equipping learners and educators with the tools needed to thrive in a digital era. By zero-rating access to KICD’s Kenya Education Cloud and the Elimika teacher development platform, Airtel is enabling teachers to access digital content and professional training materials aligned with the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) at no cost.
In addition to free access, Airtel Africa’s UNICEF collaboration supports 141 public primary schools in Kenya by providing each with 300 GB of monthly data. This effort strengthens classroom integration of digital learning tools through government-issued tablets and ensures that students benefit from reliable connectivity. The Kenya Education Cloud offers an extensive library of educational materials, including video lessons, recorded sessions, and interactive resources for learners from pre-primary to Grade 9, while Elimika focuses on teacher development and pedagogical innovation.
The initiative also addresses Kenya’s persistent digital divide. National data shows that only 10.7% of households own a computer and just 23.8% have stable internet access, with many rural schools lacking computer labs or internet connections. By removing data barriers, Airtel Kenya is empowering more students and teachers to participate in digital learning and narrowing the technological gap between urban and rural regions.
Airtel Kenya’s commitment to digital inclusion reflects a broader effort to promote equitable access to education and strengthen the foundation of a knowledge-based society. By making digital learning tools universally accessible, the company is helping to ensure that every learner—regardless of location—has an equal opportunity to succeed in the digital age.
