Uganda

In 2019, the Foundation launched the Young Africa Works strategy in Uganda to enable 4.3 million young people between the ages of 18 and 35 (70 percent women, seven percent refugees, and three percent young people with disabilities) to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.

Goal

Over the next 10 years, Young Africa Works will enable 4.3 million young people in Uganda to access dignified work.
The Young Africa Works strategy is a holistic initiative co-created with the government, private sector, academic institutions, and young people. It builds on the momentum established by the government, and it will take solutions to scale. Our objective is to facilitate access to affordable financial services, quality education, relevant vocational training, and appropriate business development services, including reasonable technology.
Context

In 2008, Uganda became the first African country where the Mastercard Foundation implemented programming. Over the years, the key area of focus has been in expanding access to finance, education, and skills training to smallholder farmers, teachers, out-of-school youth, and youth in agriculture across the country.
Approach

By 2030, Young Africa Works will enable 4.3 million young people in Uganda to access dignified work. Our approach for implementing this strategy is led by the private sector and puts the private sector at the forefront of Uganda's growth and development. The approach is centred around three key strategic pillars:
1. Strengthening systems and institutions to enable inclusive, responsive, accessible, and affordable services and products.
2. Supporting disruptive interventions that address the root causes of young people’s barriers.
3. Leveraging an integrated portfolio of partners and emerging partnership practices to implement promising models at scale.
Priority

Our focus is on areas that offer strong potential for creating work for young people, as well as emerging sectors that have the potential to generate significant impact owing to the number of young people engaged in such areas.
Agriculture
Skills training | Strengthening financial inclusion | Policy environment
Education and Skilling
Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) | Construction and housing | Sports
Digital Economy
Creative industry | Strengthening financial inclusion | Policy environment | Mindset transformation | Tourism and hospitality

Young Africa Works 2025 Dialogue Event

To celebrate 5 years of Young Africa Works in Uganda, the Mastercard Foundation hosted an event focused on addressing barriers to youth-led entrepreneurship and workforce development as pathways to dignified work. The event convened youth-led organizations, partners, program participants, private and public institutions, and more, to reaffirm the role of Uganda’s young people in shaping the country’s economic future.

Learn more about the event

Group photo at the Young Africa Works Dialogue Uganda event

Esau Higenyi smiling in a beige and blue plaid shirt — A Mastercard Foundation Scholar at EARTH University Seeking Solutions for his Community
Costa Rica, Uganda

Gordon Victor smiling in a sunflower field — Gordon Empowers Farmers With Smart Digital Solutions In Uganda
Uganda

Anthony Emaru smiling outdoors wearing a green collared shirt — Anthony On Revitalizing Community Agribusiness In Uganda
Uganda

Lucy Aciro standing outdoors and smiling — Lucy Is Advancing Education For Rural Transformation In Uganda
Uganda

Rose Ropani John outdoors in a white headscarf and light blue t-shirt — Opening Doors Through Education: Rose’s Journey Back to School
Uganda

Debaba Maarifa in a smart blue suit and tie — Maarifa’s Journey from Nakivale to Global Advocacy
Uganda

Nabasa Jonathan

The Change Maker Journey

Refugees and Displaced Persons Uganda

The Change Maker Journey

Uganda

William braiding hair at the Village No 7 Rhino Refugee Camp — The Boy Braider
Uganda

Cecilia Lemon mending sandals in a workshop — Mending Shoes To Mend Her Relationships
Uganda

Joyce Apayi Uganda 2025 — Apayi's Dream Of Obtaining A Formal Education Was Revived
Uganda

Magnon Ayiale, a Disability Inclusion Facilitator at Light for the World — My Journey To Empowerment Through Assistive Technology
Uganda

Gloria Dawa wearing a bright blue vest, proudly holding her goods for sale in Kampala, Uganda — From Despair to a Thriving Confectionery Business
Uganda

Keziah Naomesi smiling to camera — The Power of Seeking Help
Uganda

Dorcus Maloney stands smiling to camera — Championing Girls’ Education in South Sudan
Uganda, Rwanda

Grace Majot smiles to camera — Empowering women to use their voices
Rwanda, South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda

Kevin Githuku, Safali Libia and Kataike Viola at the project site in Kyangwali Refugee Settlement in Uganda planting up plants together — Reimagining Social Ventures During COVID-19
Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo

Joy Birungi sat next to a fountain smiling to camera — How Changing My Attitude and Thought Patterns Created Purpose and a New Beautiful World
Uganda

Ndyabawe Myres smiing to camera wearing purple clothing — The Journey So Far And What's Next: Ndyabawe Myres
Uganda

Armanda Kouassi stands speaking into a small microphone smiling out to the audience — Why Africa Needs Female Scientists
Uganda

Programs in Uganda

The Foundation’s Uganda office is located in Kampala and currently supports over 20 active partnerships in the country. Focus sectors for Young Africa Works in Uganda include agriculture, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and the digital economy.

Young Africa Works – Uganda: Partnerships, Progress, and Impact

The Mastercard Foundation’s Journey Toward Enabling Access to Dignified and Fulfilling Work for Young People in Uganda.

Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world, with 78 percent of its people under the age of 30 (UBOS, 2021). It is also home to over 1.7 million refugees and asylum seekers, most of whom are young people (UNHCR, 2024). For Uganda’s young people, access to education, skills, and economic opportunities is critical to securing dignified and fulfilling work.

Alongside our partners, the Mastercard Foundation is helping create opportunities for young people in high-potential sectors such as agriculture, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and the digital economy through our Young Africa Works strategy. The strategy aligns with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the National Development Plan, which prioritize youth participation in economic transformation through education, vocational training, and entrepreneurship.

Read the report

The cover of the report Young Africa Works – Uganda: Partnerships, Progress, and Impact

Young Africa Works Uganda Digest

Issue 01 October 2024

The inaugural issue provides an overview of the Mastercard Foundation initiatives in Uganda, focusing on the transformative stories of the young people we serve. It also spotlights our Country Director, Adrian Bukenya, to showcase a deeper understanding of the impact of our work in Uganda.

Learn more