Our Work in Action

Before the COVID-19 pandemic,105 million children were out of school across Africa. But now, an estimated 460 million children and young people are without ongoing formal education. This mass disruption to learning not only risks students falling behind but has also intensified pre-existing gaps in African education systems. However, providing young people with access to education through technology is offering a blended approach to secondary education, which may be a better fit than traditional class instruction for some communities.  

Musician, computer science graduate, and Mastercard Foundation Scholar Nkosinathi Mzembe thought he had to compromise his love of music for a career in technology. The eldest of three children from Malawi, Mzembe remains focused on his career aspirations, and yet he has found a compromise through a stage name, Contieh, under which he uploads original songs onto digital music platforms and social media sites.  

University of Cape Town student and Mastercard Foundation Scholar Samson Idabu founded the FONA Health Initiative to address malnutrition and health education needs in his native Tanzania. But when COVID-19 hit, his team was unable to travel to individual households to provide nutrition training. They quickly pivoted to educational poster deliveries and mobile phone consultations. “I have learned that the greatest asset of a leader is the confidence to change,” says Idabu.  

It’s one thing to have an entrepreneurial dream, but when given a road map of the resources necessary to realize that dream, young people have a better chance of overcoming challenges and unanticipated obstacles. This video-recorded panel of successful young entrepreneurs from across Africa, an episode of the Mastercard Foundation initiative Young Africa Connects, takes a candid look at what makes African markets unique from those in the West. It also addresses what tomorrow’s business leaders should keep in mind when attempting to build a global business.  

During the global pandemic, street artists from around the world transformed ordinary buildings into vibrant canvases. Artists adorned buildings with colorful and striking murals that depict the new reality of COVID-19, while also re-enforcing the importance of practicing safety measures. 

Africa is brimming with talent. With the influence and reach of African artists and creatives now global due to social media and digital streaming services, the continent’s creative sector is gaining momentum and interest. But what does this mean for a sector that is often overlooked and untapped?

Philip Cotton, Head of Mastercard Foundation’s Scholar’s Program was recently elected as a fellow by the prestigious Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Jobberman provides skills training and connects employers to skilled youth.

Babban Gona is a successful social enterprise, part-owned by the farmers it serves.

An unequal burden of the pandemic falls on the shoulders of women and girls. Government imposed lockdown and school closures due to COVID-19 have increased the demand for unpaid caregiving, childcare, and domestic work— all which women are more likely than men to bear the responsibility. However, despite the challenges of the pandemic, women are demonstrating resilience.

In June 2020, the Scholars Program launched its first ever alumni survey. As a Foundation we were keen to reconnect with Scholars, and eager to learn more about the alumni experience: their transitions after graduation, the types of activities they were seeking from their alumni community, and, given COVID-19, their experiences living through a global pandemic.