By Our Reporter
The Airtel Africa Foundation has committed Shs 3.85 billion toward advancing Uganda’s digital workforce through its flagship Tech Fellowship, a major investment aimed at supporting high-performing students from low-income households pursuing higher education in STEM disciplines.
The four-year programme, which commenced after a competitive selection process conducted between December 2025 and January 2026, will offer a comprehensive scholarship package to 20 students enrolled under the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship. The support covers tuition, accommodation, a laptop, stipend, data provision and structured mentorship in line with the programme schedule. The initiative is designed to equip young Ugandans with the skills and exposure required to become future technology leaders and innovators.
The fellowship attracted more than 300 applicants following its launch in December. After a rigorous vetting process conducted by Airtel’s implementation partner, Q-Sourcing Servtec, 20 students were selected based on academic merit and demonstrated financial need. The beneficiaries are enrolled at Makerere University, Kyambogo University, ISBAT University, Uganda Christian University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
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By Our Reporter
The Airtel Africa Foundation has committed Shs 3.85 billion toward advancing Uganda’s digital workforce through its flagship Tech Fellowship, a major investment aimed at supporting high-performing students from low-income households pursuing higher education in STEM disciplines.
The four-year programme, which commenced after a competitive selection process conducted between December 2025 and January 2026, will offer a comprehensive scholarship package to 20 students enrolled under the Airtel Africa Tech Fellowship. The support covers tuition, accommodation, a laptop, stipend, data provision and structured mentorship in line with the programme schedule. The initiative is designed to equip young Ugandans with the skills and exposure required to become future technology leaders and innovators.
The fellowship attracted more than 300 applicants following its launch in December. After a rigorous vetting process conducted by Airtel’s implementation partner, Q-Sourcing Servtec, 20 students were selected based on academic merit and demonstrated financial need. The beneficiaries are enrolled at Makerere University, Kyambogo University, ISBAT University, Uganda Christian University and Mbarara University of Science and Technology.
In Uganda, the fellowship focuses on STEM programmes including Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Software Engineering, among other ICT-related disciplines. The investment aligns with the ongoing transformation of the telecommunications sector from traditional voice and SMS services to a data-driven ecosystem anchored in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Data Science. By supporting students in these priority areas, Airtel is directly addressing the country’s digital skills gap and preparing graduates to integrate seamlessly into the evolving technology landscape.
The programme carries an annual commitment of approximately Shs 195 million for the cohort, removing the financial barriers that often prevent capable students from completing expensive STEM degrees. By eliminating concerns related to tuition arrears and associated costs, the fellowship allows beneficiaries to focus fully on academic performance and professional development.
The investment comes at a critical time for Uganda’s digital economy. The World Bank estimates that the ICT sector contributes about 9 percent to Uganda’s GDP and is growing at an annual rate of 14.8 percent. However, GSMA research indicates that the sector’s broader potential—projected to generate an additional Shs 14.6 trillion by 2030—remains constrained by a shortage of skilled professionals.
By introducing 20 highly trained graduates into the workforce annually, the initiative is expected to contribute meaningfully to Uganda’s Digital Vision 2040 agenda. The fellows are positioned to drive innovation in key growth areas such as fintech, agritech and cybersecurity, strengthening the domestic talent pipeline and reducing reliance on imported technical expertise.
Uganda forms part of the Airtel Africa Foundation’s wider pan-African strategy spanning 14 countries. Through similar education-focused investments across the continent, the Foundation is building a network of “Airtel Fellows” who are expected to play a central role in Africa’s digital transformation.
For the 20 selected students, the fellowship represents access to world-class opportunity. For Uganda’s technology and telecom sectors, it represents a strategic investment in the skilled workforce required to sustain long-term digital growth.
