The Young Africa Works strategy sets out an ambitious goal for the next decade: by 2030, our work will enable 30 million young people in Africa, especially young women, to secure employment they see as dignified and fulfilling. Using youth employment as a key measure of socio-economic progress, we aim to help millions of people to find a pathway out of poverty.

Our Country-led Approach

As part of the Young Africa Works strategy, we will deepen our engagement in some countries to better understand their economic aspirations and identify priority sectors for growth. Working with governments and the private sector, we will develop a long-term plan for each country of focus that will:

• Improve the quality of education and vocational training so that they equip young people with the skills employers need;
• Leverage technology to connect employers and job seekers, and drive growth; and
• Enable entrepreneurs and small businesses to expand through access to financial services.

As we do this, we will continue to learn, share knowledge, catalyze innovation, and mobilize others across the continent.

Why the Young Africa Works strategy?

Africa is the youngest and fastest-growing continent in the world. By 2030, there will be 375 million young people in the job market in Africa. Within a few decades, this demographic boom will push Africa’s workforce to more than a billion people, the largest in the world.

A significant gap between the number of young people seeking work and the limited employment opportunities available to them means that they will face challenges finding formal employment and a pathway out of poverty. Moreover, for some time we’ve observed a mismatch between the skills of young people entering the workforce and the needs of employers.

Read the Young Africa Works strategy.

Our Country-Led Strategies

Find programs, partners, and news from 7 of our focus countries in Africa.

Mastercard Foundation Rwanda
Mastercard Foundation Kenya
Mastercard Foundation Ethiopia
Mastercard Foundation Ghana
Mastercard Foundation WAEMU
Mastercard Foundation Nigeria
Mastercard Foundation Uganda