Airtel Zambia has officially launched the Airtel Tech Fellowship, a university scholarship programme offering 50 full scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing studies in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).
The initiative was unveiled on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, during a ceremony held at the University of Zambia (UNZA) in Lusaka.
The fellowship targets financially disadvantaged students with high academic promise. Over a five-year period, the funding will be split equally, supporting 25 undergraduate students at UNZA and 25 students at the Copperbelt University (CBU).
Speaking at the launch, Airtel Zambia Managing Director Hussam Baday highlighted the companyโs intent to address the growing digital skills gap in Sub-Saharan Africa and support young people facing financial barriers.
"When you educate one young person, you change one life. When you empower fifty young people, you change fifty families. That is exactly what this Fellowship seeks to do," Baday stated. The scholarship package includes:
โข Full payment of tuition fees for up to five years.
โข Accommodation coverage for the full duration of study.
โข A brand-new laptop, mobile data connectivity, and a monthly student living allowance.
โข Structured mentorship and professional career development opportunities.
Official government remarks from the Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary, Dr. Kelvin Mambwe, were delivered on his behalf by the Director of University Education, Mr Brian Makufele. Dr. Mambwe commended Airtel Zambia for its private-sector leadership in human capital development, noting that investments in STEM directly complement the government's national digital transformation agenda and economic vision.
Meanwhile, UNZA Vice-Chancellor Professor Mundia Muya noted that the full, continuous nature of the fellowship removes the risk of funding uncertainty, enabling students to focus entirely on their academic performance. He added that the program aligns with UNZA's Strategic Plan 2023โ2027, as well as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) regional targets for industrialization and scientific development.
Echoing these sentiments, CBU Vice Chancellor Professor Imasiku Nyambe praised Airtel for empowering youth to realize their aspirations. He stressed that economic hardship should never be confused with a lack of talent, drive, or promise. invoking the traditional African adage that "it takes a village to raise a child," Prof. Nyambe described the fellowship as a practical demonstration of that philosophy and a true expression of the Ubuntu spirit.
Applications for the inaugural cohort of 25 scholarships for the 2026/2027 academic session are now open to eligible first-year ICT and STEM students at UNZA and CBU.
https://apply.theafarainitiative.org/.../airtel-africa...
Applications close on 10th October, 2026