M-PESA Foundation is investing in digital education by building a new ICT lab that will help learners access technology, skills and future opportunities.
The foundation recently broke ground on a KES 12.5 million ICT laboratory at Kisumu Boys’ High School as part of its Citizens of the Future programme, an initiative aimed at improving education infrastructure and preparing young people for a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The new facility will be equipped with 60 computers connected to both a local network and the internet. It will also include a projector and high-speed printer, creating a modern learning environment capable of supporting digital literacy, research and technology-focused education.
The investment comes at a time when Kenya continues to roll out its Competency-Based Education (CBE) curriculum, which places increased emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.
According to Safaricom Foundation Chairman Joseph Ogutu, improving school infrastructure remains one of the country’s most pressing education challenges.
“As we look to the future in education, the focus will be on upgrading facilities, because most of our schools are in dilapidated conditions,” said Ogutu.
The ICT laboratory forms part of a broader commitment by the M-PESA Foundation to upgrade 500 schools across Kenya over the next five years. The programme seeks to bridge infrastructure gaps while ensuring learners have access to the facilities and resources needed to succeed in a digital world.
“The ICT lab is an integral component of any infrastructure upgrading that we are doing. The reason why this is being done is because the future is digital,” Ogutu added.
The impact of the investment is expected to be significant for learners at Kisumu Boys’ High School. Currently, just 27 functioning computers are available for approximately 805 students, limiting access to technology and digital learning opportunities.
For Grade 10 learner Nivan Akula, the new facility represents an important step towards achieving his career aspirations.
“It has always been my dream to be a software engineer one day, and I can only do that by studying computer studies. With a new computer lab being established in my school, I look forward to achieving the best.”
Beyond technology access, the project highlights the role that education infrastructure can play in creating pathways to employment, innovation and economic participation for young people. By investing in digital skills and modern learning environments, the M-PESA Foundation is helping equip the next generation with tools needed to participate in the future economy.
