Airtel Africa Launches Tech Fellowship to Empower Uganda’s Low-Income Youth

Airtel Africa Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Airtel Africa plc, has launched the Airtel Africa Foundation Tech Fellowship in Uganda, a new initiative aimed at empowering talented young people from low-income households to pursue careers in technology.

The programme will award 20 fully-funded Tech Fellowships to first-year undergraduate students with admission to pursue STEM degrees, including Information Technology, Computer Science, Computer Technology, Software Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity. By targeting academically gifted students who lack financial support, the fellowship seeks to eliminate key barriers that limit young Africans’ participation in the digital economy.

Airtel Uganda’s CEO and Managing Director, Soumendra Sahu, stated that the initiative is part of Airtel’s commitment to expanding digital inclusion and cultivating Uganda’s next generation of innovators.

“Uganda is home to many bright and ambitious young people eager to make their mark in technology. Through this fellowship, Airtel Africa Foundation, working with Airtel Uganda, will enable 20 exceptionally talented students to pursue their tech degrees without financial constraints,” Sahu said. “For these fellows, this is an opportunity to grow into future tech leaders, innovators, and changemakers.”

He noted that the fellowship aligns with the Airtel Africa Foundation’s FEED pillars—Financial Inclusion, Education, Environmental Protection, and Digital Inclusion—and supports the Government of Uganda’s Digital Vision 2040.

“By investing in these students, we are building a pipeline of digital experts who will accelerate Uganda’s digital transformation,” Sahu added.

To ensure a transparent and efficient application process, Airtel Africa Foundation has partnered with Q-Sourcing Servetech, a regional recruitment firm. Q-Sourcing has set up a dedicated application portal to handle all submissions and selection procedures.

The inaugural cohort will support students admitted to leading institutions, including Makerere University, ISBAT University, Uganda Christian University, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Kyambogo University.

Each fellowship package will cover tuition, accommodation, academic materials and a living stipend, ensuring that beneficiaries can focus fully on their studies.