MTN Cameroon and the United Nations Agency for Children (UNICEF) announce the inauguration and handover of a digital learning space at the Government Nursery and Primary School of Bilonguè in Douala.

The ceremony was presided over by the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Basic Education, Dr Vivian Asheri Kilo, in the presence of the CEO of MTN Cameroon, Wanda Matandela, the Resident Representative of UNICEF, Nadine Perrault, and several representatives of partner companies, public administration, and local communities.

This state-of-the-art e-container, entirely built with recycled materials and solar-powered, spans an area of 126m² and provides an innovative learning space for approximately 700 pupils. It is equipped with 70 tablets and computers donated by UNICEF and the MTN Foundation, all connected to MTN’s reliable high-speed internet.

The new facility will contribute to bridging the digital divide, enhancing teaching methodologies, and providing learners with access to unlimited knowledge beyond the confines of traditional education. “The initiative represents more than just an innovative learning space; it embodies hope, opportunity, and the promise to our children to learn today to lead tomorrow. It is also a testimony of how we have been sustainably impacting lives in Cameroon for the past 25 years, and a commitment to bring more value to our stakeholders for the next 25 years,” declared Wanda Matandela, CEO of MTN Cameroon.

This initiative was inspired by UNICEF’s “Connect My School” initiative, which aims to connect schools to the internet by providing access to online and offline teaching and learning via tablets.

“Our objective is to expand this initiative nationwide, ensuring that every child in Cameroon has access to the same high-quality educational opportunities.”, said Nadine Perrault, Resident Representative of UNICEF in Cameroon.

The handover of this sophisticated infrastructure also aligns with the Cameroon Government National Development Strategy. “The digital learning space we are inaugurating today is fully aligned with Government’s orientations in favour of education. It is more than a physical structure; it is the gateway to endless possibilities”, Confirmed Dr Vivian Asheri Kilo, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Basic Education.