Baobab Summit 2025

The Baobab Summit is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program’s flagship annual convening. It brings together Mastercard Foundation Scholars, Alumni, partner institutions, and stakeholders to exchange knowledge, strengthen networks, and co-develop solutions that advance inclusive education for young people across Africa.

The 2025 Baobab Summit marks the first in-person gathering in three years. It provides an important opportunity to reconnect the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program community face-to-face, while extending access to thousands of Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni through in-person and virtual engagement.

The Baobab Summit will be held in Nairobi, Kenya, from Friday, October 17 to Sunday, October 19, 2025. Details on the venue and full program will be included in the official invitation and registration package.

Participation is by invitation only. Attendees include Mastercard Foundation Scholars, Alumni, partner representatives, senior leaders and staff from the Foundation, and select stakeholders.

Yes. The 2025 Baobab Summit will encourage participation through livestreams, a Pre-Summit Event, and interactive Watch Parties hosted at select Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program partner institutions. Information about these opportunities will be shared by the Mastercard Foundation Baobab Summit Team.

Given venue capacity and resource considerations, in-person participation is limited. Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni will be nominated by partner institutions in coordination with the Foundation. Invitations will also be extended to other stakeholders and partners participating in the event.

Mastercard Foundation Scholars, Alumni, and partners who cannot attend can actively participate virtually. This includes livestream access to select plenary sessions, digital networking, and localized Watch Parties. Information about these opportunities will be shared by the Mastercard Foundation Baobab Summit Team via email.

Yes. All in-person participants must register via the official event platform (Whova). Registration ensures access to session details, speaker bios, program updates, and event resources.

The Mastercard Foundation is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all participants. If you have specific accessibility requirements, please share them with the event organizers in advance. We will work closely with you to provide reasonable accommodations such as mobility support, sign language interpretation, or assistive technology, so that you can fully participate in the event.

Yes. The Foundation will cover travel, accommodation, meals, and other associated costs for invited Mastercard Foundation Scholars, Alumni, and partner representatives. Full logistical details will be outlined in participant invitation packages.

All visitors to the Republic of Kenya, including infants and children, are required to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before beginning their journey - except for African travelers, who are now exempt from visa requirements. Applications must be submitted through the official website: https://www.etakenya.go.ke/en. 

The health, safety, and well-being of participants are a priority. The Foundation will work closely with local authorities and event venues to ensure appropriate safety protocols. Specific guidance will be communicated closer to the Baobab Summit.

The theme is “Baobab Rising: Nurturing the Future through Africa’s Youth.” It reflects the expanding impact of Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni as leaders, innovators, and contributors to Africa’s development.

The program will feature keynote addresses, plenaries, panel discussions, debates, workshops, cultural showcases, and networking opportunities. Dedicated sessions will also be held for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council, Inclusion Working Group (IWG), and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Partners Convening.

Yes. At the in-person Baobab Summit, we will provide platforms for Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Alumni to contribute their voices. Additionally, the Baobab platform will serve as an interactive hub where participants can continue to share experiences, engage in discussions, and access Baobab Summit content before, during, and after the event.

Highlights, recap videos, post-event summaries and participant perspectives will be published across the Mastercard Foundation’s digital platforms and shared with partner institutions. 

Yes. Whether virtually or in-person, the Baobab Summit will continue annually as the principal platform for strengthening the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program community and advancing the Foundation’s mission of expanding access to inclusive, high-quality education.

We are deeply aware that young people across Africa and beyond are living through times of conflict, displacement, and uncertainty. Our thoughts are with all those experiencing loss and instability. The Mastercard Foundation remains committed to its charitable objectives of advancing education and promoting financial inclusion as a means of relieving poverty. Even in times of crisis, we believe education and opportunity are powerful pathways to resilience, hope, and long-term peace.

As a charitable organization, we do not take political positions. Our focus is on young people and communities. We work to expand access to education, strengthen institutions, and create inclusive opportunities—particularly for women, displaced communities, and persons with disabilities. These efforts help young people to learn, lead, and build stronger, more just societies.