In a move that is intended to drive its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda in the country, telecom firm Airtel has appointed its inaugural CSR committee made up of distinguished public figures. 

They are Joseph Nkurunziza, a public health physician and activist, who is also the founder and chairperson of Never Again and Health Development Initiative; Mary Balikungeri, the founder and head of the Rwanda Women Network, a group that is highly involved in women’s health care and rights; and Elizabeth Rugege; an environmentalist and strong advocate of the greening initiative in public schools, a statement from the firm indicates. Others are Airtel’s chief finance officer Tano Oware and the telecom’s head of corporate communications and CSR Denise Umunyana.

Commenting on the appointments, Airtel Rwanda managing director, Teddy Bhullar, said the firm seeks to strengthen its CSR function so that it contributes meaningfully to improving the lives of communities in which they operate.

"We acknowledge the importance of addressing common societal problems because without communities, we cannot survive as a business,” he said.

He said the telecom recently adopted a new policy aimed at helping it achieve its CSR goals, particularly in health, education and youth development.

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