• Vodacom Tanzania Foundation to invest $1.3 million over three years

• Over 300,000 teachers to gain digital tools and connectivity

• KiuFunza program to expand to 865 schools, reaching 360,000 students

The Vodacom Tanzania Foundation has announced a three-year investment of 3.25 billion Tanzanian shillings (about $1.3 million) to improve the national education system. The announcement was made on June 3 during CSO Week in Dar es Salaam, in the presence of the Minister of Education, Science and Technology.

The initiative is based on two strategic partnerships, including one with the Tanzania Institute of Education and the other with Twaweza East Africa.

In partnership with the Tanzania Institute of Education, the foundation will equip 184 teacher resource centers with digital tools and internet access. This effort, part of the national continuing professional development program, aims to benefit over 300,000 educators across the country.

In parallel, the foundation will expand the KiuFunza program to 865 primary schools through its partnership with Twaweza. More than 360,000 students, particularly first-year pupils in basic education, are expected to benefit. The program focuses on improving student performance and fostering inclusive learning through digital technologies.

“Through these partnerships, we aim to help strengthen the quality of education in Tanzania by supporting teachers with the right tools and helping young learners build strong foundational skills,” said Zuweina Farah (pictured, right), Head of External Affairs at the Vodacom Tanzania Foundation.

The success of the initiative will rely on strong public-private collaboration and engagement from local communities. Similar models, such as Kenya’s Tusome project and Morocco’s Teaching at the Right Level (TARL) method, have shown that targeted education interventions can significantly enhance literacy outcomes.

To sustain long-term progress, stakeholders emphasize the need to strengthen teacher training, monitor student performance, and ensure reliable funding.