Building the Schools of Tomorrow: Safaricom, Education Ministry Team Up in KES 30 Billion Drive to Modernize Learning.

Building the Schools of Tomorrow: Safaricom, Education Ministry Team Up in KES 30 Billion Drive to Modernize Learning.

Principal Secretary for Education, Dr. Julius Bitok, addresses the “Citizens of the Future” forum hosted by the M-Pesa Foundation in Nairobi, affirming the partnership between Safaricom and the Ministry of Education in advancing quality learning.

By Jeff Oyugi 

Nairobi - October 30, 2025

The Ministry of Education has lauded Safaricom's, M-PESA Foundation and its partners for spearheading a KES 30 billion investment aimed at transforming Kenya's education landscape through the Citizens of the Future initiative, a five-year programme to modernize schools, enhance teacher training and expand access to quality education across the country.

Speaking during the launch of the programme in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Basic Education, Dr. Julius Bitok, praised the private sector's growing role in complementing government efforts to make education more inclusive, equitable and future-oriented.

“I take note of the fact that I have the privilege of interacting with people who are individually and collectively working to improve access to quality education in Kenya," Dr. Bitok said.“Through your vision and philanthropy, you have positively impacted more than 3,000 learning institutions and touched the lives of over 3 million learners across the country.”

The Citizens of the Future initiative, jointly implemented by the M-PESA Foundation and the Zep-Re Foundation, aims to upgrade infrastructure and enhance teacher skilling in ICT across more than 600 public primary and junior secondary schools by 2030. The programme will also provide scholarships to over 10,000 students in senior secondary and tertiary institutions nationwide.

Safaricom Chief Executive Officer Peter Ndegwa said the initiative consolidates the company's education interventions into a unified framework designed to bridge gaps in access, inclusivity and digital readiness.

“Under the Citizens of the Future programme, we are consolidating our initiatives to ease access to education from early learning to technical and vocational training through an initial investment of about KES 30 billion over the next five years," Ndegwa said.

“We are developing model institutions that reflect the 'Schools of the Future' modern, sustainable and digitally integrated learning spaces with a focus on inclusivity for learners with special needs.”

Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa addresses the forum on the launch of the "Citizen of the Future" program by the M-Pesa Foundation in Nairobi.

The programme builds on previous engagements, including a summit hosted in July on reimagining education for resilience and inclusivity and aligns with the government's commitment to strengthen the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC).

Dr. Bitok underscored that the reform of Kenya's education system particularly the transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10 under the CBC demands not only improved infrastructure but also new approaches to learning that emphasize adaptability, creativity and integrity.

“Education is not just about passing exams, it is about building character and nurturing responsible citizens. As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, 'Character is higher than intellect,' " Dr. Bitok noted. “We want learners who are not only academically proficient but also socially responsible, innovative and globally competitive.”

He added that the government has allocated KES 710 billion to the education sector this year, including the employment of teachers, construction of classrooms and laboratories and deployment of over 1.2 million digital learning devices across the country.

M-PESA Foundation Chairman Nicholas Ng'ang'a said the programme comes at a pivotal time as Kenya seeks to align education with the digital economy.

“We are witness to what quality education can do for communities. In a world increasingly driven by technology, the classroom must evolve into a dynamic space that prepares learners to thrive in a fast-changing world," Ng'ang'a said.

Trustee Michael Joseph emphasized that the initiative is part of Safaricom's long-term commitment to national transformation.

“As we mark 25 years of Safaricom, Citizens of the Future embodies our purpose to transform lives. Our goal is to ensure every region has a model institution that not only pursues academic excellence but also equips learners with the digital skills and values needed to lead in the future," he said.

According to government data, the education sector received KES 628.6 billion in the 2023/24 financial year representing 20.7 percent of national revenue and 4.7 percent of GDP underscoring Kenya's prioritization of education as a cornerstone of national development.

However, challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited teaching materials, and disparities in access persist. Dr. Bitok reiterated that partnerships like Safaricom's are vital in bridging these gaps.

“Education is a shared responsibility," he said.“While the government provides policy and funding, it is through partnerships with the private sector that meaningful, sustainable change will happen.”

The Citizens of the Future programme is expected to significantly advance Kenya's education transformation agenda, equipping millions of learners and educators with the tools and environments necessary to thrive in a digital, knowledge-driven economy.