TECNO and UNHCR Renew Partnership to Support Primary Education for African Refugee Children in Kenya

TECNO, a leading innovative technology brand, is proud to extend its partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to support UNHCR’s global primary education programme.

The partnership, first established in 2020, will try to provide high-quality, protective education for African refugee children and young people. Over the past four years, the partnership has reached 17,370 refugee children and 40 refugee DAFI scholars, as well as provided support to teachers and school infrastructure. 

Among the 11,500 new refugee students expected to enroll in 2024, TECNO’s support through the primary education programme will benefit over 7,000 children in Kenya, helping them unlock their full potential to thrive in their adulthood. 

In collaboration with partners like TECNO, UNHCR commits to enrolling over 55,000 out-of-school children in primary schools in Dadaab and Kakuma camps over the next four years.

Helping in Kenya

With 774,370 refugees and asylum-seekers as of May 2024, Kenya is the fifth largest refugee-hosting country in Africa. Kenya’s refugee camps Dadaab and Kakuma, as well as Kalobeyei Settlement Center, house over 217,000 school-aged refugee children. Despite a high gross enrolment rate, school-aged children’s net enrolment is just 53%. 

TECNO’s financial support in 2024 is already helping to bolster UNHCR’s efforts to improve educational outcomes for refugee children in Kenya. They achieve this through the provision of scholastic materials for students, hygiene kits for girls, infrastructure construction, as well as resources for teachers and school activities.

Adriani Wahjanto, UNHCR Deputy Representative in China, hailed support from TECNO: “UNHCR welcomes the renewal of our long-term partnership with TECNO, whose sustained support is crucial in bridging gaps in access to quality education and creating opportunities for refugee children. We hope this extended partnership will inspire more private sector actors to contribute not only funding but also expertise, as well as use their networks and influence, to help build a brighter future for people forced to flee.

Funding the necessary education

Jack Guo, General Manager of TECNO, said:“TECNO is dedicated to giving back to local communities in Africa through practical initiatives. With our renewed partnership with UNHCR, we aim to continue supporting the improvement of learning conditions for African refugee children . We believe that education is the key to changing the destiny of refugee children and serves as the foundation for rebuilding their lives. Investing in primary education now will support a sustainable future and brighter tomorrow.”

Inclusive and equitable quality education is a cornerstone of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically Goal 4, and remains a long-term objective of UNHCR. The organization’s primary education programming is customized to each country operation around four main objectives and employs location-specific strategies to effectively address the needs of refugee children. The planning and implementation of these initiatives are continuously enhanced drawing on insights from past interventions, to create safe, and stimulating learning environments that reduces the risk of seeing children leave school.

TECNO and UNHCR’s partnership exemplifies a commitment to not only education but also to the long-term well-being and the generous efforts of Kenya to include forcibly displaced in education opportunities.

About UNHCR 

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes. The organization delivers life-saving assistance including shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights, and also develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. 

About TECNO 

As a global innovative technology brand with operations in over 70 markets, TECNO commits to revolutionizing the digital experience in global emerging markets, relentlessly pushing for the perfect integration of contemporary, aesthetic design with the latest technologies. TECNO offers a wide range of smartphones, smart wearables, laptops and tablets, HiOS operating systems and smart home products. With their brand essence of “Stop At Nothing”, TECNO commits to unlocking the best and newest technologies for forward-looking individuals, inspiring them to never stop pursuing their best selves and their best futures. For more information you can also visit TECNO’s official site.