Airtel Tanzania relies on mobile to train tomorrow’s technicians
October 28th 2025
As Tanzania strives to expand access to vocational training, a unique partnership aims to make telecom operators key players in the development of technical skills in a changing economy.
Airtel Tanzania reaffirmed its commitment to technical training at a Vocational Education and Training Authority (VETA) stakeholders’ meeting in Dar es Salaam, TechAfrica News reported on Wednesday, October 22. The operator showcased its VSOMO platform, developed with VETA, which allows young people to access short technical modules directly from their mobile phones. Caroline Nombo, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, and several vocational training officials welcomed this inclusive approach.
The program relies on a co-investment model between Airtel and VETA. The company provides connectivity, the mobile platform, and content hosting, while VETA handles the instructional design and module certification. For the initiators, this model limits costs for learners, who only need a compatible phone and a mobile connection to follow the courses. According to Airtel, this approach aims to “democratize access to technical training,” particularly in rural areas where training centers remain rare.
Tanzania faces a technical skills gap. According to World Bank data, nearly three out of four young adults in sub-Saharan Africa are in precarious employment by 2024. In response, the Tanzanian government has placed vocational training at the heart of its National Skills Development Strategy 2022–2026, which includes greater integration of digital tools. By leveraging mobile, Airtel hopes to contribute to this goal while strengthening digital literacy, a crucial lever for employability and economic competitiveness.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize technical training in East Africa, where similar platforms are emerging in Kenya and Uganda. The challenge, however, remains to mobilize the necessary funding to expand course offerings and ensure the quality of online learning. According to VETA, additional budgetary support will be essential to train trainers and adapt content to the real needs of the labor market. Airtel Tanzania intends to continue rolling out VSOMO as a vehicle for inclusion and social development.
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