Helios Towers partners with UNICEF to accelerate digital inclusion and expand learning opportunities for children across Africa
London, 28 September 2026 — Helios Towers and UNICEF today announced a multi-year partnership to expand internet connectivity and digital learning access for children and young people across Africa, supporting two flagship UNICEF initiatives – Giga and Learning Passport.
The partnership will combine Helios Towers’ telecommunications infrastructure expertise with UNICEF’s global leadership in digital inclusion to help connect schools and expand access to quality education in underserved communities.
Through the collaboration, Helios Towers will support efforts to advance school connectivity mapping and infrastructure development through Giga – the joint UNICEF and International Telecommunication Union initiative that aims to support governments in connecting every school to the internet by 2030. The company will also support expanded access to Learning Passport, a UNICEF programme that delivers high-quality, flexible and portable digital learning that enables children and young people to continue learning anywhere, at any time, both online and offline.
The partnership will initially focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Tanzania, with additional support planned for another country in West Africa, where Helios Towers’ established in-market presence and engineering capability will help extend connectivity to communities where access remains limited.
Africa is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing population, with an estimated eight out of ten people expected to be born on the continent this century. Expanding reliable internet connectivity for schools is critical to ensuring children and young people can access education, develop digital skills and participate fully in future economies.
Helios Towers’ investment strategy focuses on underserved and high-growth markets, supporting connectivity infrastructure where need and potential impact are greatest. By contributing technical expertise, local operational knowledge and long-term market presence, the company will help strengthen scalable models for digital transformation across Africa.
Tom Greenwood, Chief Executive Officer of Helios Towers, said:
“Connectivity is a core enabler of education, social inclusion and long-term economic growth. As a mobile tower company operating across Africa and the Middle East, we see first-hand how access to reliable connectivity can transform communities. Our partnership with UNICEF reflects our commitment to expanding digital inclusion and helping connect the next generation to learning, skills and opportunity.”
Philip Goodwin, Chief Executive Officer of UNICEF UK, said:
“Digital connectivity is increasingly essential for learning, opportunity and helping children reach their full potential. Through partnerships like this, UNICEF is working with governments, communities and the private sector to remove barriers to education and build systems that enable children to learn, grow and thrive. We are grateful to Helios Towers for its commitment to expanding connectivity where the need is greatest, helping bring quality learning opportunities to children and young people in underserved communities and supporting our shared ambition to make childhood unstoppable.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
• UNICEF does not endorse any brand, company, product or service.
• Images and additional partnership materials are available on request.
About Helios Towers
Helios Towers is a leading independent telecommunications infrastructure company, operating in nine markets across Africa and in Oman. The Group builds, owns and operates telecommunications infrastructure that supports mobile network operators and helps expand access to reliable connectivity. Helios Towers works with customers, governments and communities to support the continued development of digital infrastructure in the markets where it operates.
About UNICEF
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to reach the most disadvantaged children, defending their rights and helping them fulfil their potential through programmes in education, health, protection and digital inclusion. For more information visit unicef.org.uk. Follow UNICEF UK on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Tiktok and YouTube.
About Giga
Giga is a partnership between UNICEF and the International Telecommunication Union working to connect every school in the world to the internet by 2030. The initiative maps school connectivity in real time, advises on appropriate technical solutions, creates models for innovative financing and supports governments contracting for school connectivity.
About Learning Passport
UNICEF’s Learning Passport provides localized, high-quality digital learning and skills for children, young people and teachers. Developed with governments, schools and partners, the platform builds teacher capacity and ensures learning continuity even when classrooms close. Adaptable and portable, it enables children and young people to continue learning anywhere, at any time including in crisis-affected settings.
Media contacts
For more information, please contact:
Helios Towers
Temi Oguntolu
+44 (0)7909 266 754
[email protected]
UNICEF
UNICEF UK Media Team
0208 375 6030
[email protected]