Airtel Tanzania, through the Airtel Africa Foundation and in partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, has conducted a teachers’ training workshop in Zanzibar at Jang’ombe Hub at the weekend, as part of the ongoing rollout of the Airtel SMARTWASOMI program.
This transformative digital learning initiative is designed to increase access to quality education through technology across Tanzania.
The workshop brought together 36 secondary school teachers from various schools already connected to the Airtel SMARTWASOMI platform. Launched in May 2024 by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, the Airtel SMARTWASOMI initiative has now reached over 400 schools and impacted thousands of teachers and students across the country.
The platform provides zero-rated access to key educational resources, including curriculum-aligned content from the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) and Shule Direct, ensuring that students and teachers can learn and teach without worrying about data costs.
Gracing at the event as the guest of honor, Director of Secondary Education in Zanzibar, Asia Iddy Issa, commended the program and highlighted its alignment with national goals.
“This initiative supports our vision of creating a digitally literate generation and addresses challenges that have long limited access to quality learning tools—particularly in underserved regions. By training teachers and removing the barrier of data costs, we are bridging the gap between traditional teaching and modern education delivery,” Issa remarked.
She further added, “We wholeheartedly welcome this kind of innovative solutions, as it complements our efforts to strengthen the education system through digital means. We look forward to seeing more schools across Zanzibar benefit from the Airtel SMARTWASOMI, and we are devoted to working with all partners to ensure long-term impact.”
Echoing these sentiments, the Head of Secondary Education Division in Zanzibar, Mfaume Jaffary Mfaume who also opened the workshop, emphasized the importance of supporting teachers in the digital shift.
“This training workshop equips teachers to confidently use digital tools to enrich lesson delivery, simplify planning, and support better learning outcomes. The Airtel SMARTWASOMI offers a simple, reliable, and inclusive way for teachers and students to stay connected to high-quality learning resources, no matter where they are, by removing data charges for educational content,” he shared.
During the session, teachers received hands-on experience on how to navigate curriculum content, integrate digital resources into lessons, and monitor student engagement more effectively. The workshop also encouraged peer learning, collaboration, and open dialogue to help build a network of digitally empowered educators.
Teachers in attendance praised the initiative as they expressed their gratitude to Airtel Africa Foundation, UNICEF and the government for introducing an initiative that supports modern, accessible, and effective teaching methods in schools.
On his part, Yussuf Mwadini Haji, a secondary school teacher from Hamamni secondary school, said, “Before this workshop, many of us did not know how much was possible with digital tools. I now feel more confident and excited to make my lessons more engaging for my students.”
Another educator, Amina Hamza Shaabani from Forodhani Secondary School, added, that “Airtel SMARTWASOMI has opened new possibilities. We now have access to up-to-date content with no data cost, which removes a huge burden.”
This training is part of Airtel Tanzania’s broader commitment to connect over 1,000 schools by the end of 2025. The telecom company continues to invest in digital infrastructure, community partnerships, and stakeholder engagement to expand the reach and impact of the Airtel SMARTWASOMI. This initiative directly supports Tanzania’s goal of improving digital literacy, reducing education gaps, and ensuring that students and teachers in all regions can access quality digital education.
