The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to empower young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada to access meaningful, dignified, and fulfilling work.
We seek to enable 30 million young people across Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work by 2030, with a focus on young women, refugees and displaced persons, and people with disabilities.
In Canada, our goal is for education and employment systems to be transformed to enable 100,000 Indigenous young people to access post-secondary education and transition to meaningful livelihoods by 2030, driving lasting impact in their communities and across Canada.
Entrepreneurship Against the Odds: How Adele and Jean-Marie Built a Business in Kalobeyei
Kenya
A Mastercard Foundation Scholar at EARTH University Seeking Solutions for his Community
Costa Rica, Uganda
A Leader for Food Systems Change in Northern Kenya
Costa Rica, Kenya
How to Revolutionize Food Production: Melissa Haringwi Moyo is Using Science to Transform Her Community
Costa Rica
Refugee Women Are Leaders
Kenya
Purpose-Driven Leadership: Happiness Maworera and Her Impact on Water Protection
Costa Rica
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Thriving Business: Martha’s Entrepreneurial Journey
Kenya
The Right To Belong: Apat’s Story
Costa Rica
A Personal Revolution: How Irene Found Her Voice and Identity at EARTH University
Costa Rica
Tracking towards our commitment
Learn more about the Foundation-
-
M
Youth-in-Work since 2017
-
-
%
of our partners are African-led organizations
-
-
K
Indigenous youth in Canada engaged through EleV
Programs
Through our partners, we support more than 1,100 programs across Africa and in Canada.
Explore our programs
Countries
The Foundation has offices in Kigali, Accra, Nairobi, Kampala, Lagos, Dakar, Addis Ababa, and Toronto. Our work spans almost 40 countries in Africa and coast-to-coast in Canada.
Where we work
Focus Areas
We focus on leading sectors for youth employment, including education, agriculture, and the digital economy.
Learn moreResearch & Learning
Our research amplifies the voices of young people by highlighting their lived experiences and perspectives, particularly those of young women, young people with disabilities, and refugees and displaced persons.
-
Preparing For AI In The BPO And ITES Sector In Africa
Digital Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa -
Young Africa Works – Uganda: Partnerships, Progress, and Impact
Education and Transitions Uganda -
Study on Africa as a Jurisdiction for Domiciliation of Investment Vehicles
Ghana, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Togo, Rwanda, Senegal, Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria -
Indigenous Youth Roots: Indigenous Youth Reconciliation Barometer 2024
Education and Transitions Canada
Empowering young voices
World Refugee Day
This June, we join the world in marking World Refugee Day by celebrating the immense contributions of refugees and displaced youth across the continent. Join us in recognizing them through their stories of resilience, community, and kindness.
Learn more
Growing Futures: Education For Africa's Agricultural Revolution
Watch the powerful documentary on TAGDev Alumni: bold African changemakers redefining agriculture through innovation, resilience and community-driven leadership.
Learn more
Transcending Boundaries Podcast
A new podcast hosted by Reeta Roy will take you on an enlightening journey into the heart of values-based leadership.
Listen now
Learn More About Our Programs
Our programming approach is rooted in co-creation and understanding young people's aspirations, needs, and realities. We focus our efforts on areas where they can have the most equitable and sustainable impact at scale.
View all programsLatest from the Mastercard Foundation
-
INNU Nation Expands Opportunities for Youth in Marine Conservation and Science
-
Mastercard Foundation Welcomes Global Leader Stephen J. Toope to Board of Directors
-
Mastercard Foundation And UNHCR Launch Historic Partnership To Transform Education And Livelihoods For More Than 500,000 Refugees And Displaced Youth In Africa
-
New Indigenous Land Stewardship Degree Will Prepare The Next Generation Of Land Protectors To Restore Ecosystems And Take Action On Climate Change
-
40% Of Tasks In Africa’s Growing Tech Outsourcing Sector May Be Affected By AI By 2030
-
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Impress At The 2024 Resolution Social Venture Challenge
-
Youth Leading the Way: Lessons from the 2025 Refugee Economic Summit
-
Tapping Into Africa’s Refugees: Economic Opportunity Hiding In Plain Sight
-
From Refugee Camp to AI Creator: The Untold Story of Kakuma Girls
-
Request For Expression Of Interest: Youth Enabling Oganization To Support In The Recruitment And Management Of Youth-Led Organizations That Will Accelerate Work Opportunities For Young People In Kenya
-
Investing in public administration data systems to support decision-making
-
Opinion: Africa's AI Future Hinges On Youth Investment
