The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program is a global scholarship initiative designed to support talented, service-oriented young people by providing access to higher education and developing the next generation of transformative leaders.
The programme focuses on creating opportunities for young Africans to gain inclusive and relevant education, transition into dignified work, and contribute to social and economic transformation across the continent.
About the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program works with universities, education institutions, NGOs, and scholar communities to provide support throughout students’ academic journeys and their transition into employment.
The initiative aims to build a network of young leaders and institutions that drive inclusive and equitable socio-economic change in Africa.
Scholarship Opportunities for African Students
The programme provides scholarships for talented young people seeking higher education opportunities through partner institutions.
Support is designed to help scholars:
- Access quality education
- Develop leadership skills
- Gain career preparation
- Transition into meaningful employment
- Create positive impact in their communities
Applicants can explore participating institutions and application pathways through the programme’s official partner network.
Programme Impact and Statistics
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program has committed significant resources toward developing young African leaders.
Key programme achievements include:
- Over 58,000 scholarships committed for young African leaders
- Over 58,000 Mastercard Foundation Scholars supported
- 71% of scholars are young women
- Over 20,000 alumni worldwide
- Goal of reaching 100,000 scholarships by 2030
- $6.5 billion USD disbursed toward education and transition programmes in Africa
- 62 global partners involved
Who Can Benefit From the Scholarship?
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program supports young people who demonstrate:
- Academic potential
- Leadership ability
- Commitment to community service
- Desire to contribute to Africa’s development
The programme particularly focuses on creating pathways for young people, including women and marginalized groups, to access education and improve their livelihoods.
Areas of Focus
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program contributes to areas including:
- Education and transitions
- Digital skills development
- Support for refugees and displaced persons
Partner Institutions and Application Process
Students interested in applying must identify institutions affiliated with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
The programme provides guidance on finding institutions that match students’ academic goals.
The Foundation also provides application resources and scholarship application tips to help candidates prepare stronger applications.
Alumni Network and Leadership Community
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Alumni Network connects graduates from multiple leadership programmes, including the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Ashoka, Youth Think Tank, Anzisha Prize, and Youth Forward initiatives.
The network aims to mobilize alumni as a force for positive change.
Success Stories
The programme has supported scholars who have gone on to create impact in different fields.
Examples include:
Sala Sow – Senegal
Sala Sow pursued medicine as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar and is focused on improving healthcare outcomes for underserved communities.
Jemila Abdulai
A Mastercard Foundation Scholar using engineering innovation to improve access to prosthetics in Africa.
Kuol Maper Alier
A scholar whose journey progressed from a refugee camp experience to global health innovation work.
Key Details
Scholarship Name: Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Status: Active
Established: August 2012
Target Group: Young African leaders
Study Level: Higher education programmes through partner institutions
Main Goal: Developing transformative leaders and expanding access to education
Focus Areas: Education and transitions, digital development, refugees and displaced persons
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