MTN Rwanda has joined forces with UNICEF Rwanda to promote children’s rights, combat malnutrition, and bridge the digital divide. The partnership was officially established on December 12, with MTN Rwanda CEO Mapula Bodipe and UNICEF Country Representative Julianna Lindsey signing the agreement at MTN’s headquarters in Kigali.A key focus of the collaboration is research on child online protection.

MTN Rwanda has pledged Rwf34.6 million to fund a study that will examine the online experiences of children in Rwanda, assessing risks such as cyberbullying, exploitation, and abuse. The findings will help shape policies aimed at safeguarding over 500,000 children with internet access.The partnership also supports UNICEF’s One Egg per Child campaign, which addresses malnutrition in Gicumbi.The initiative will provide daily eggs to more than 1,000 children, aiming to reduce stunting and enhance cognitive development and school attendance.

Furthermore, MTN will offer free access to educational platforms, including e-learning resources from the Rwanda Basic Education Board and UNICEF’s Itetero and Ingazi programs. This initiative is set to benefit 1.5 million children, teachers, and caregivers, particularly in underserved areas.MTN has also pledged to raise awareness about child rights and nutrition through advocacy campaigns, leveraging its social media and marketing platforms to amplify UNICEF’s initiatives. These efforts aim to reach over four million people across Rwanda.

After the agreement was signed, MTN Rwanda CEO Mapula Bodibe described the partnership as a transformative initiative for Rwanda’s children.”When I think about the different aspects of this collaboration, I imagine a family in a rural area of Rwanda experiencing the joy of their child accessing the internet for the first time and learning for the first time,” Bodibe shared. “I also picture the relief of parents knowing their child can explore these resources safely. This partnership truly touches on so many aspects that are close to our hearts at MTN.”

Bodibe underscored the importance of nutrition for children’s development. “Through the One Egg per Child programme, families can be reassured that their children are receiving the nutrition they need to reach their full potential,” she said. “This is about more than just access to education and technology—it’s about ensuring holistic well-being for children.”She also reiterated MTN’s ongoing commitment to child online safety through initiatives such as the Help Children Be Children campaign. “This programme, led by our group CEO, raises awareness about the dangers of online content, including child sexual abuse material. While we work to connect children to educational resources, we must also ensure they are protected,” Bodibe explained.

Reflecting on the research aspect of the partnership, Bodibe expressed optimism about its potential impact. “We are very excited about the research because it will help us make informed decisions and empower parents to safely support their children’s digital experiences,” she said.UNICEF Country Representative Julianna Lindsey highlighted the importance of the newly formalised partnership with MTN Rwanda, noting its alignment with efforts to promote children’s rights in the country.

“This partnership builds on a shared goal to improve children’s access to education, nutrition, and safety,” Lindsey said. “MTN’s digital expertise complements UNICEF’s child welfare experience, making this a truly meaningful collaboration.”MTN Rwanda has partnered with UNICEF Rwanda to advance children’s rights, tackle malnutrition, and bridge the digital divide. This partnership, formalized on December 12, was marked by the signing of agreements between MTN Rwanda CEO Mapula Bodipe and UNICEF Country Representative Julianna Lindsey at MTN’s headquarters in Kigali.

A central aspect of the collaboration is research into child online protection. MTN Rwanda has committed Rwf34.6 million to fund a study on the online experiences of children in Rwanda, focusing on risks such as cyberbullying, exploitation, and abuse. The goal is to inform policies that will ensure online safety for over 500,000 children with internet access.The partnership also supports UNICEF’s One Egg per Child campaign, which aims to combat malnutrition in Gicumbi. The initiative will distribute daily eggs to more than 1,000 children, helping to reduce stunting rates and improve cognitive development and school attendance.

Additionally, MTN will provide free access to educational platforms, including the Rwanda Basic Education Board’s e-learning resources and UNICEF programs such as Itetero and Ingazi. This initiative is expected to benefit 1.5 million children, teachers, and caregivers, particularly in underserved areas.MTN is also committed to raising awareness about child rights and nutrition through advocacy campaigns. By using its social media and marketing platforms, MTN aims to reach over four million people across Rwanda, amplifying UNICEF’s initiatives.

MTN Rwanda CEO Mapula Bodipe described the partnership as transformative for Rwanda’s children. “When I think about the different aspects of this collaboration, I imagine a family in a rural part of Rwanda experiencing the joy of their child accessing the internet for the first time, learning for the first time,” Bodipe said. “I also picture the relief of parents knowing their child can explore these resources safely. This partnership truly touches on so many levels that are close to our hearts at MTN.”Bodipe emphasized the importance of nutrition for children’s development. “Through the One Egg per Child program, families can feel reassured that their children are receiving the nutrition they need to reach their full potential,” she explained.

“This is about more than just access to education and technology—it’s about ensuring holistic well-being for children.”She also highlighted MTN’s commitment to child online safety through initiatives like the Help Children Be Children campaign. “This program, sponsored by our group CEO, raises awareness about the dangers of online content, including child sexual abuse material. While we work to connect children to educational resources, we must also ensure they are protected,” Bodipe noted.

On the research component, Bodipe expressed optimism about its potential impact. “We are very excited about the research because it will help us make informed decisions and empower parents to safely support their children’s digital experiences,” she said.UNICEF Country Representative Julianna Lindsey emphasized the significance of the new partnership, aligning it with ongoing efforts to support children’s rights in Rwanda. “This partnership builds on a shared goal to improve children’s access to education, nutrition, and safety,” Lindsey said. “MTN’s digital capabilities complement UNICEF’s child welfare expertise, making this a meaningful collaboration.”

Lindsey also highlighted the zero-rating of the Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB) eLearning platforms as a key part of the partnership. “Removing data costs ensures that education opportunities are more accessible, particularly for families in rural areas where internet access is often unaffordable,” she said.On the topic of nutrition, Lindsey praised MTN’s role in advancing the One Egg per Child, Per Day campaign. “This collaboration has the potential to significantly reduce stunting in Rwanda, but it also highlights an essential truth for us at UNICEF—we cannot tackle these challenges alone.”

She added, “Education, nutrition, and child protection require collective effort. Even with government support, it’s not enough. The private sector must play a critical role. MTN is setting an example for other companies by leveraging its resources for the benefit of Rwanda’s children. While we’ve already been working together behind the scenes, I’m excited about this official partnership and what it can achieve.”