MTN Rwanda and UNICEF Unite to Transform Children’s Lives Through Digital Access and Nutrition

MTN Rwanda and UNICEF Rwanda have announced a transformative partnership aimed at promoting children’s rights, bridging the digital divide, and enhancing nutrition initiatives across Rwanda.

This groundbreaking collaboration highlights the power of private sector shared value partnerships in advancing the welfare of children and contributing to sustainable development.

Bridging the Digital Divide

As part of the partnership, MTN Rwanda will provide free, zero-rated access to the Rwanda Education Board (REB) e-learning platforms and UNICEF’s Itetero and Ingazi platforms. This initiative ensures equitable access to vital educational resources for children, teachers, and caregivers without incurring data costs. By bridging the digital divide, the partnership aims to reach over 1.5 million users, particularly in underserved and rural communities, fostering improved education outcomes and digital literacy.

Advancing Child Online Protection

In addition, MTN Rwanda has committed a grant of Thirty-Four Million Six Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand (34,625,000) Rwandan Francs to support research into children’s online experiences. The study will explore key topics such as online risks, parental involvement in fostering safe digital habits, and the broader online safety landscape. Findings will inform policy recommendations, enhancing the digital safety of over 1,500,000 Rwandan children.

Supporting Nutrition Through the One Egg per Child Campaign

MTN Rwanda is also contributing to UNICEF’s flagship nutrition initiative, the One Egg per Child Campaign. This program addresses malnutrition by providing one egg per child daily, targeting improved health outcomes, cognitive development, and school attendance. MTN’s financial and advocacy support is expected to significantly enhance the program’s impact.

Amplifying Advocacy Efforts

MTN Rwanda will utilize its extensive marketing channels and creative resources to amplify UNICEF’s advocacy efforts. By promoting initiatives through social media, events, and customer engagement platforms, MTN aims to raise awareness and mobilize public support for children’s rights and nutrition programs.

This partnership with MTN Rwanda is a testament to the transformative potential of collaborations between UNICEF and the private sector. By combining resources, expertise, and shared values, we can drive meaningful change for children in Rwanda, ensuring they survive, thrive, and reach their full potential.

– Julianna Lindsey, UNICEF Representative in Rwanda

We are proud to collaborate with UNICEF Rwanda on an initiative that aligns closely with our core values at MTN Rwanda. This collaboration supports our ongoing Help Children Be Children campaign, launched in 2022, which highlights our commitment to ensuring safer online experiences for children as internet access expands across the country. By leveraging our resources and infrastructure, we aim to address critical issues such as digital access and online safety. Additionally, this partnership will enable us to tackle nutritional challenges through the One Egg per Child program. Together, we can drive meaningful and lasting change to promote and uphold children’s rights.

– Mapula Bodibe, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Rwanda

This partnership sets the stage for long-term collaboration, with both organizations exploring additional opportunities to jointly address systemic challenges affecting children. The shared goal is to create a healthier, better educated, and more empowered generation of Rwandan children.