Celebrating Breakthroughs in Education: Slum2School Africa Wins the 2025 HP Digital Equity Accelerator Prize

In a remarkable development that underscores the transformative power of education, Slum2School Africa has been awarded the prestigious 2025 HP Digital Equity Accelerator Prize. This accolade not only recognizes their impactful efforts in Nigeria but also places them among a select group of eight nonprofits across four countries—each committed to redefining accessible digital learning for underserved communities.

The HP Digital Equity Accelerator Prize, bestowed by HP Inc. and the HP Foundation, is a commendation of innovative and scalable solutions intended to promote digital equity in areas often overlooked. Recipients benefit from a robust support package exceeding $200,000, which includes $100,000 in cutting-edge HP technology, financial grants to enhance organizational capacity, and six months devoted to executive training, mentorship, and collaboration with peers—a formidable arsenal aimed at catalyzing growth and expansion.

Since its inception in 2012, Slum2School Africa has metamorphosed from a grassroots initiative into one of the most impactful educational nonprofits on the continent. Their mission is simple yet profound: to bridge the chasm between privilege and potential. Each child, regardless of their circumstances, deserves not only a quality education but also the digital opportunities that can empower them for life.

Over the past ten years, Slum2School has made a significant difference in the lives of over 685,000 children across Nigeria. Their community-driven interventions are characterized by innovation, volunteerism, and a commitment to inclusive education. Among their notable initiatives, the STEM & Innovation Program stands out. This program has introduced thousands of children residing in slums and rural areas to vital skills such as robotics, coding, design thinking, and artificial intelligence—profound tools needed to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.

“In a world that’s increasingly shaped by technology, digital access is either the great equalizer or the greatest divider,” shares Orondaam Otto, the Founder and Executive Director of Slum2School Africa. His perspective echoes a truth many of us feel—how can we create a society where no child is left behind, technologically, socially, or educationally? The affirmation from HP, a giant in innovation, reinforces the relevance of local solutions on a global scale.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Slum2School launched a Virtual Learning Program, one of Africa’s earliest and most successful strategies to ensure educational continuity for low-income learners. How can we, as a global community, harness technology to close educational gaps? This initiative succeeded in reconnecting countless children who were cut off from traditional schooling due to lockdowns. By employing a hybrid model that included virtual classrooms, tablets, internet data, and learning kits, Slum2School provided not just educational content, but also emotional support—a critical component during such isolating times.

The timing of this recognition by HP and the HP Foundation is striking, especially as the world grapples with a staggering $1 trillion digital divide that curtails equitable access to education and economic opportunities for billions. The aim of the Accelerator initiative is to address this urgent issue by supporting forward-thinking organizations paving the way—organizations like Slum2School.

“The future of work hinges on fair access to technology, digital skills, and opportunity,” reflects Michele Malejki, Global Head of Social Impact at HP Inc. and Executive Director of the HP Foundation. His words provoke thought—is our educational landscape truly equitable? Through the Digital Equity Accelerator, HP empowers nonprofits to bridge the digital divide. By investing in these organizations, we are not simply expanding access; we are actively energizing the future of work.

Joining the ranks of fellow trailblazers, Slum2School is now part of the esteemed 2025 cohort, alongside Socialinnov and The Smile of the Child from Greece, Solve Education Foundation and Markoding from Indonesia, Fundación Esplai and AlmaNatura Foundation from Spain, as well as She Code Africa from Nigeria. Each group presents a unique framework, melding educational access, digital infrastructure, mental health support, parental engagement, and youth empowerment into a cohesive, community-oriented approach.

Otto poignantly remarks, “This prize is not just for our dedicated team—it signifies hope for millions of children longing for a chance.” This recognition also honors every teacher, volunteer, and donor who has belied in the mission. What future do we aspire to create? A future where education is not an exclusive privilege, but a right accessible to all. With HP’s support, Slum2School envisions scaling its solutions across new states in Nigeria and expanding its reach further into other African nations, thus advancing their mission to bridge educational inequalities through digital transformation.

Since its inception in 2022, HP’s Digital Equity Accelerator has empowered participating nonprofits to reach over 9 million individuals globally. This initiative is part of HP’s broader commitment to promoting digital equity for 150 million people by 2030. As we reflect on these achievements, one can’t help but wonder: What more can we accomplish when we unite our efforts towards a common goal?

Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring.