The world’s biggest social network Facebook is helping Rwandan students access free online educational content.

Facebook’s pilot initiative dubbed SocialEDU plans to provide Rwandan students with free data plans for accessing edX.org MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) from among the globe’s top universities.

Education website edX.org plans to help build a mobile app that is integrated with Facebook for the pilot. Telecoms infrastructure company Ericsson will also test the app’s functionality at a facility that simulates a 2G environment.

Meanwhile, Rwandan mobile operator Airtel is then set to provide free education data for everyone in Rwanda who participates in the programme for one year, while Nokia plans to distribute affordable smartphones to support the initiative.

Rwanda’s government is also set to pitch in by helping to provide free Wi-Fi in campuses across the country. Government further says it intends to work with edX to adapt course materials for local students.

“We worked with the Rwandan government, a telecom company, a device manufacturer and an educational content provider to develop a plan to provide students with free, high-quality, localised educational content and create a social learning experience that is accessible via handheld devices,” said Javier Olivan, vice president of growth and analytics at Facebook.

Rwanda’s minister of youth and ICT, Jean Philbert Nsengimana, said, “The government of Rwanda is excited to partner with Facebook to open up a world full of content and interaction to Rwandan students. The social education experience will accelerate innovation and propel Rwanda into a knowledge-based economy.”

The edX.org MOOC system helps students ask questions, engage with other students, interact with teachers, and participate in group discussions.

Facebook is the world’s biggest social network with over one billion monthly active users, according to BI Intelligence.