Airtel Tanzania through the Airtel Africa Foundation, in partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Education, has convened a teachers’ training workshop under the Airtel SMARTWASOMI program, a groundbreaking digital learning initiative designed to improve access to quality education through technology.

The workshop brought together 60 teachers from different secondary and primary schools in Dar es Salaam already connected to the Airtel SMARTWASOMI initiative. Launched in May 2024 by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa, the initiative is a collaboration between Airtel Tanzania through the Airtel Africa Foundation, UNICEF, and the Government of Tanzania. To date, it has connected over 400 schools across the country. The platform offers zero-rated access to curriculum-aligned platforms such as the Tanzania Institute of Education (TIE) and Shule Direct, giving thousands of students and teachers access to quality digital learning resources without data charges.

Addressing the journalists on behalf of the Director General at TET, Dr Aneth Komba, at a press conference which took place at STEM Park in Dar es Salaam, the Director of Publications and Research at TIE, Kwangu Masalu, emphasized the critical role teachers play in the initiative’s success.
“Teachers are the foundation of our education system. The objective of this training workshop is to enhance the capacity of teachers to deliver digital education and to improve education outcomes for learners in secondary schools. We are actively investing in positively impacting education through preparing teachers to facilitate high-quality education that integrates technology,” he detailed.

Echoing these sentiments, the Director of Regulatory and Corporate Communications at Airtel Tanzania, Beatrice Singano, shared that the Airtel SMARTWASOMI removes a significant barrier to digital learning with no data costs for accessing educational content using the Airtel network as It offers both students and teachers a simple and reliable way to connect with updated, government-approved learning materials wherever they are.

“In today’s training, teachers received hands-on experience with digital learning tools available through the Airtel SMARTWASOMI platform, including access to curriculum-aligned content, interactive resources and techniques for integrating these tools into everyday classroom teaching. This will help teachers apply the tools to simplify lesson planning, enrich subject delivery with digital content, assign interactive learning materials, and track student progress more effectively, all of which support more engaging and efficient classroom instruction,” she said.

Singano added that “The impact of Airtel SMARTWASOMI is rooted in the way partners have worked collectively to ensure that the education sector is digitally elevated. UNICEF contributes its experience in education and child development, while Airtel provides the infrastructure that allows learners and teachers to stay connected while the Government of Tanzania plays a key role in ensuring alignment with national priorities. Each partner plays a vital role in making this initiative effective and inclusive.”

Teachers who participated in the workshop welcomed the training with enthusiasm. For many, this was their first time engaging with a large-scale digital platform specialized for Tanzanian secondary schools.

Neema Avumba, a primary school teacher at Tegeta A Primary School, shared that “I would like to express my gratitude to Airtel Tanzania, UNICEF and the government for arranging this training session today. Before this workshop, many of us did not realize just how much we could do with digital tools. Now I feel empowered to bring new methods into my classroom, I can already see how this will excite and engage my students in ways we could not before.”

According to Nassoro Shamsi, a primary teacher from Mjimwema Primary School, echoed that sentiment as he remarked “SMARTWASOMI has opened up possibilities. We now have access to updated curriculum content and teaching aids with no data costs using Airtel’s network. I am beyond excited to properly utilize SMARTWASOMI after this training.”

Beyond technical training, the workshop created a space for teachers to collaborate, ask questions, and exchange experiences. The goal is not only to build skills but also to create a network of digital learning ambassadors across the country.

Targeting over 1,000 schools by the end of 2025, Airtel Tanzania is committed to expanding the reach of SMARTWASOMI through continued investment in digital infrastructure, strong community partnerships, and support from key stakeholders. This effort aligns with the national agenda of promoting inclusive access to quality digital education and contributes to broader goals of addressing the shortage of qualified teachers, enhancing digital literacy among students, and ensuring equitable access to learning resources across all regions.