UNHCR, Chinese mobile maker Tecno to help refugees access education

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has announced an expanded three-year partnership with Tecno, a Chinese mobile phone manufacturer, to enable refugee children and youth across Africa to access quality education.

Building on five years of successful collaboration, the two parties launched a special project dubbed Together We Can Bring Education to African Children and Youth to support two UNHCR education initiatives: the Primary Impact Program and the Albert Einstein German Academic Refugee Initiative or DAFI Tertiary Scholarship Program.

In a statement published on Tuesday, the UN agency said the partnership aims to benefit 54,000-plus refugee children and 15 scholars through enhanced access to quality learning opportunities over the next three years.

The partnership will focus on the East and Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region; which are grappling with some of Africa's most severe displacement crises.

"Education is a cornerstone of resilience and hope for displaced youth," Sophie Muller, UNHCR representative in China, said, adding private sector engagement can drive meaningful impact, equipping displaced youth with the knowledge and skills they need for solutions and a brighter future.

Jack Guo, the general manager of Tecno, emphasized the company's commitment to support educational development in Africa, noting that education is the driving force in transforming the lives of refugees and fostering a promising future.

Since 2020, UNHCR and Tecno's collaboration has reached more than 24,000 refugee children with improved educational infrastructure and supported 40 DAFI scholars through their higher learning.