The Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network

The Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network is the culmination of our vision to mobilize the alumni from our programs — which include the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Ashoka, the Youth Think Tank (YTT), the Scholars Program, the Anzisha Prize, and Youth Forward — to be a force for change. In time the network will expand to include the other countries where the Foundation is implementing its Young Africa Works strategy connecting alumni to each other, resources, opportunities, and mentors.

What is the Alumni Network?

Our vision is to create sustainable, youth-led alumni hubs across Africa, committed to driving impactful social and economic change in their communities. The Alumni Network is built to:

To support our Young Africa Works strategy: The Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network will holistically support the career journeys of Foundation alumni as entrepreneurs, employers and employees. It will help link alumni to opportunities for engagement and employment and support their ongoing career progression. Members also reap the benefits of the pastoral and peer-led inspiration of being connected to like-minded young people. Click here to read more on the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works Strategy

Design and deliver better programs: The Alumni Network will enable the Foundation to better integrate youth voices into the design and implementation of its programs. Alumni will be key allies to country teams to identify economic trends, social and cultural norms, and other important aspects that make Mastercard Foundation programs work.

Impact networks have a multiplier effect: Stella Kivila, YALI RLC Alum and a member of the Alumni Network Leadership Committee for Uganda said, “the Alumni Network provides a connective platform where Mastercard Foundation alumni can access inspiration and opportunities from each other for the greater good of their communities.” There is power behind bringing young people who have different backgrounds, skills training, passions, and interests together in one large network to enhance the community’s ability to tackle large challenges and take advantage of opportunities across the continent.

The opportunity to meet like-minded youth through the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network will increase the social capital and access to information of Mastercard Foundation alumni and empower alumni to highlight their own agency and ability, and ultimately influence change in their countries.

Enhance profile and brand awareness: Mastercard Foundation alumni are the front-line brand ambassadors for Mastercard Foundation and its work across Africa. The alumni network thus is a platform to increase brand awareness and support alumni to be advocates for the Foundation’s work.

Did you participate in a Mastercard Foundation program? Join the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network to be part of a global community of like-minded people, connect and exchange ideas, attend alumni events globally and virtually, and access leadership opportunities.