Africa Higher Education For Transformation (AHEFT) Prize
The AHEFT Prize recognizes institutions delivering transformational impact across thematic categories including Teaching and Learning, Transitions to Employment, Research and Innovation, and Entrepreneurship or within priority sectors such as Climate and Environment, Agriculture and Agri-food Systems, Health, and STEM/Digital/Artificial Intelligence. Over the next decade, the Prize will recognize and award at least 150 institutions across Africa.
About the Prize Inaugural Year
The inaugural cycle drew nominees from a shortlist of 25 higher education institutions within Mastercard Foundation’s existing partner network across Africa. This enabled the Foundation to establish the Prize and refine its approach ahead of future cohorts. Applications for future cycles will extend beyond the Foundation’s partner network to all higher education institutions in Africa.
Applications were assessed by an independent jury of distinguished educators, policymakers and sector experts against criteria spanning academic excellence, institutional transformation and real-world impact, relevance to Africa’s development priorities, inclusion and access, student experience, community engagement, and collaboration and partnerships, with strategic guidance from the Prize’s Advisory Group.
The AHEFT Prize recognizes institutions driving transformation across the following:
Since 2006, the Mastercard Foundation has grown its work in education and financial inclusion across Africa, from an early microfinance partnership reaching millions of people to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, launched in 2012 to develop the next generation of transformative leaders, and the Young Africa Works strategy, launched in 2018 to enable 30 million young people to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030. The AHEFT Prize extends that legacy, translating two decades of investment in African higher education into direct recognition and support for the institutions delivering the greatest impact, with the wider aim of accelerating innovation, investment, and ambition across the higher education ecosystem.
The AHEFT Prize Winning Institutions
Addis Ababa University (AAU)
Recognized for its ability to align research with national priorities, strengthen workforce development, and connect scientific knowledge directly to economic opportunity, public services, and community wellbeing.
Learn more about AAU
International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE)
Recognized for its innovation in practice-based engineering and technical education, it demonstrates how hands-on, problem-driven learning can produce highly employable graduates.
Learn more about 2iE
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST)
Recognized for building one of Africa’s leading research-to-innovation ecosystems.
Learn more about KNUST
MUNI University
Recognized for creating effective pathways from education to employment for refugees and underserved youth.
Learn more about Muni University
University of Rwanda
The University of Rwanda has evolved into a regional leader in digital health, vaccinology, biomedical engineering, and health systems innovation.
Learn more about the University of RwandaCreating Transformational Impact Together
The AHEFT Prize reflects a deep, long-term commitment to strengthening African education ecosystems and advancing education for young people together with our partners. It directly supports the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, which seeks to enable 30 million young people, particularly young women, to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030.
The AHEFT Prize Media Release
Five institutions honored for advancing higher education transformation in Africa.
