Samsung Electronics Africa unveiled its Solar Powered Internet School (SPIS) at the Dakar Financing Summit for Africa’s Infrastructure in Senegal.

The SPIS are completely independent classrooms that aim to increase accessibility to education and connectivity in remote areas of Africa, a statement reveals.

Samsung first launched the mobile schools back 2011, and they have been deployed in many other African countries since.

Each solar powered school is built in a 12-metre long repurposed shipping container, which makes it easier to transport via truck to remote areas.

According to a press statement, these schools are specifically designed for African conditions, and can withstand energy-scarce environments, harsh weather conditions and transportation over long distances.

Fold-away solar panels provide enough energy to power the classrooms’ equipment.

The classrooms can accommodate 24 learners.

Each classroom is fitted with a 50-inch electronic whiteboard and different Samsung Notebooks and Netbooks, all of which are optimised for use in a solar-powered environment to stimulate interactive learning, the statement reads.

The classrooms can be used as adult learning centres in the evenings and on weekends, and by the community in general to establish and run small businesses.

"The Dakar Summit aims at accelerating the implementation of projects in transport, rail, ports, energy and ICT. Samsung’s internet school cost-effectively addresses two of these areas, bringing connectivity, electrification and education to rural areas by harnessing the power of the sun," said Ntutule Tshenye, head of public affairs & corporate citizenship, Samsung Electronics Africa.

Tshenye added, "Remote areas often experience problems with power supply and rely on diesel- or petrol-driven generators. These are expensive to purchase and maintain. Samsung’s Solar Power Generator presents an alternative power solution. It provides easy power accessibility at an affordable price, saving communities money on electricity costs, which can be used in other, more important, areas – such as infrastructure."