Africa Higher Education For Transformation (AHEFT) Prize

A first-of-its-kind initiative supported by a $500 million commitment over its first decade, recognizing higher education institutions in Africa that are driving sustained, systemic, institution-wide transformation and expanding opportunities for young people.

As Africa’s youth population grows, higher education institutions have a vital role in developing the skills and opportunities young people need to access dignified and fulfilling work. The Prize is designed to spotlight institutions that are doing this well as models for the wider sector.

The AHEFT Prize was launched in 2026 with an inaugural cohort of five laureates. It is intended to be awarded annually, recognizing at least 150 institutions across Africa over its first decade.

Most rankings measure inputs, research output, international faculty ratios, citation counts, and other criteria that systematically disadvantage African institutions regardless of the transformative impact they deliver. The AHEFT Prize takes a different approach, recognizing institutions for the sustained, institution-wide impact they have on their students, communities, and countries.

The AHEFT Prize recognizes institutions because lasting transformation is achieved through strong systems, leadership, and a shared commitment to excellence. Rather than celebrating achievement alone, the Prize recognizes institution-wide change that improves outcomes for students, strengthens communities, and contributes to national development. By investing in institutions, the Prize seeks to support sustainable impact that empowers generations of learners. 

The Prize recognizes institutions in two categories. There are four thematic pillars: Teaching and Learning, Transitions to Employment, Research and Innovation, and Entrepreneurship; and four priority sectors: Climate and Environment, Agriculture and Agri-Food Systems, Health, and STEM/Digital/Artificial Intelligence.

Addis Ababa University (opens in a new tab) (Ethiopia); the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering, 2iE (opens in a new tab)(Burkina Faso); Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (opens in a new tab) (Ghana); Muni University (opens in a new tab) (Uganda); and the University of (opens in a new tab) Rwanda (opens in a new tab).

Each laureate receives a $3 million prize to strengthen and scale the work for which it was recognized. Over its first decade, the Prize aims to recognize and award at least 150 higher education institutions across Africa.

The AHEFT Prize is backed by a $500 million commitment from the Mastercard Foundation over the Prize’s first decade.

An independent jury of thematic and sectoral experts in higher education, research, innovation, and industry reviews and scores every eligible application. The Jury operates separately from both the Mastercard Foundation and the AHEFT Prize Advisory Group.

The Prize jury comprises a diverse group of independent experts from higher education, research, innovation, and industry. To preserve the integrity and impartiality of the evaluation process, jury members remain confidential, enabling them to assess applications objectively and free from external influence.

The jury evaluates each eligible application against a published 100-point assessment framework covering transformational impact, programmatic relevance to Africa, community engagement, inclusion and access, the student experience, and collaboration. Laureates are selected based on a combination of quantitative scoring and expert deliberation.

This inaugural 2026 AHEFT Prize was open to eligible higher education institutions within the Mastercard Foundation’s existing partner network across Africa. This first year/phase was designed to enable a rigorous and well-managed inaugural competition. Future Prize cycles are expected to expand beyond the Foundation’s partner network.

No. The AHEFT Prize does not have a formal appeals or reconsideration process for selection decisions. As a long-term, multi-cycle initiative, institutions that are not selected in one cycle may be eligible to apply in future cycles, subject to the eligibility criteria and application requirements in place at that time.

No. When an institution is awarded the AHEFT Prize, the institution becomes the laureate, not the individuals who lead or work there. Leadership and faculty can accurately describe themselves as being ‘from an AHEFT Prize laureate institution.’

No. An invitation to apply reflects an institution’s eligibility to participate and does not constitute an endorsement or guarantee of selection. All applications are assessed independently by the Prize jury against the published evaluation criteria. 

No. The identities of all applicant institutions, including whether an institution applied, are confidential, regardless of whether it was selected as a laureate.

Accra was selected as the host city for the inaugural Higher Education Transformation Convening on September 22, 2026, during which the laureates will be formally celebrated. Ghana is also home to one of the five inaugural laureates, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Please contact the institution directly through its communications office. The Mastercard Foundation does not facilitate interview requests or partnership inquiries on behalf of AHEFT Prize laureate institutions.