Airtel Rwanda partners with Umwalimu SACCO and Africa Smart Investments to boost teachers’ capacity

This – Smart Teacher – initiative targets to equip 80,000 teachers across the country with brand new Made in Rwanda Positivo Laptops, plus an Airtel internet modem loaded with a 2 years unlimited internet.

Speaking at the launch of the Smart Teacher Initiative, Umwalimu SACCO Representative Jean Desire Usabyimana said, “We are excited about this project that seeks to empower Rwandan teachers across the country. We wish for our teachers to gain more knowledge and do their work easily by using laptops fully connected to internet.”

To acquire the laptops and modems, teachers will apply for loans to UMWALIMU SACCO, payable in 24 easy installments (2 years) while paying 13,920 RWF per month Inclusive of Bank Interest. Once the loan is approved, Umwalimu SACCO will pay the amount to Africa Smart Investments – Distribution and a laptop with a modem loaded with 24 months internet will be delivered to Umwalimu SACCO branch for pickup.

Desire Usabyimana added that, “To be a beneficiary of the Smart Teacher Initiative, a teacher has to be a member of Umwalimu SACCO, must have a service and salary certificate from the sector, three Insurers, ID photo and must not go below 50% of his or her salary.”

The Chairman of Africa Smart Investment Distributor, a distributor of ‘Made in Rwanda’ Positive – BGH laptops, Francois Karenzi also highlighted that, “Laptops to be distributed are of latest technology and with no doubt will help the teachers do their work.”

In his remarks, Airtel Rwanda Head of Airtel Business Phillip Onzoma also said, “As Airtel, we are pleased to be part of this partnership that will boost teachers’ capacity. We are dedicated to support them do their work easily to ensure a knowledgeable society.”

“Teachers will only pay 2,700 RWF for unlimited internet per month and a onetime payment of 13,000 RWF for an Airtel Modem,” concluded Phillip Onzoma.

About Bharti Airtel                       

Bharti Airtel Limited is a leading global telecommunications company with operations in 20 countries across Asia and Africa. With headquarters in New Delhi, India, the company ranks amongst the top 3 mobile service providers globally in terms of subscribers. In India, the company's product offerings include 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services, mobile commerce, fixed line services, high speed DSL broadband, IPTV, DTH, enterprise services including national & international long distance services to carriers. In the rest of the geographies, it offers 2G, 3G and 4G wireless services and mobile commerce. Bharti Airtel had over 353 million customers across its operations at the end of January 2016. To know more please visit, www.airtel.com

“We call upon teachers to seize this opportunity and visit their nearest Umwalimu SACCO branch for any assistance needed on how to acquire the laptops and modems,” Desire added.