Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc, has unveiled its new “Airtel Africa Tech Fellowships” program in Uganda, aimed at nurturing the next generation of technology and innovation leaders. The initiative aligns with Airtel Uganda’s commitment to giving young Ugandans the opportunity to realize their full potential.

Through this program, Airtel is offering full scholarships to outstanding first-year undergraduates, particularly those from financially constrained backgrounds. A total of 20 tech fellowships will be awarded to students pursuing degrees in Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Technology, Data Science, Software Engineering, Cyber Security, or Artificial Intelligence.

The fellowship is comprehensive, covering tuition fees, accommodation, academic materials, and a fixed stipend to help with core course-related expenses.

Speaking about the launch, Airtel Uganda Managing Director Soumendra Sahu emphasized the program’s goal to address the digital skills gap and strengthen the nation’s innovation pipeline.

"Uganda is filled with curious, passionate young people with an eager drive to succeed in the field of technology. However, financial barriers, the high cost of university education limits access for students from lower-income families," Sahu said.

He further noted, "The 20 students who will be awarded a fellowship will be referred to as the Airtel Africa Fellows. This opportunity, will create a more effective and inclusive education system and will give the scholars a chance to take their place as future tech leaders."