Mastercard Foundation Opportunities for African Women include scholarships, education and skills development, entrepreneurship, employment and economic empowerment programs designed to support young women across Africa. Explore key Mastercard Foundation initiatives, including opportunities connected to education, digital skills, enterprise development and pathways to dignified work.
The Mastercard Foundation Opportunities for African Women cover a broad range of initiatives aimed at helping young women access education, develop relevant skills, start or grow businesses and transition into dignified and fulfilling work.
Rather than operating as one single application program, the Mastercard Foundation works through universities, NGOs, businesses and other partners to implement different initiatives across Africa. Many of these programs are connected to the Foundation’s broader Young Africa Works strategy, which focuses particularly on young women, refugees and displaced people, and young people living with disabilities.
For women looking for scholarships, entrepreneurship programs, digital skills training or employment-related opportunities, understanding the different programs is important because eligibility, application procedures and participating countries can vary.
Background & Opportunities for African Women
The Mastercard Foundation’s programming is designed around the aspirations and realities of young people. Its work in Africa focuses on improving access to education and vocational training, expanding digital literacy and using financial services to help entrepreneurs and small businesses grow.
Young women are specifically identified as a priority group under the Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy.
This means opportunities connected to education, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion, agriculture, digital skills and employment may be particularly relevant to African women, depending on the programme and country.
The Foundation’s approach also extends beyond providing financial support. Many initiatives combine education or skills development with leadership, entrepreneurship, employment support and access to networks.
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Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
One of the best-known opportunities is the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, a global initiative designed to help talented, service-oriented young people, primarily young Africans, pursue higher education and develop their leadership potential.
The program works with universities and NGOs to create opportunities for young people to obtain inclusive and relevant education and transition into meaningful work.
Women can benefit from the program through participating institutions at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, although requirements and application procedures differ by university.
The Foundation’s general guidance encourages applications from underrepresented groups, including women.
Applicants should note that the Scholars Program does not use one central application form. Prospective scholars generally apply through the participating university or organization they wish to attend.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program
Women and Entrepreneurship Opportunities
Entrepreneurship is another important area of Mastercard Foundation programming for African women.
Several initiatives listed by the Foundation focus specifically on helping women and youth-led businesses develop stronger enterprises, improve market access and create sustainable livelihoods.
One example is the Women in Sourcing and Enterprise (WISE) Program, which focuses on women in Senegal.
Women in Sourcing and Enterprise (WISE) Program
The Foundation also supports programs addressing women’s participation in agriculture, fisheries, food systems and other sectors where young women can build businesses and employment opportunities.
Women in Agriculture and Food Systems
Agriculture remains an important source of employment and entrepreneurship for young people across Africa.
The Foundation’s Energizing Women & Youth in Agri-Food Systems Programme (EWAS) focuses on women and young people in agri-food systems.
Energizing Women & Youth in Agri-Food Systems Programme (EWAS)
The Foundation also lists the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (YEFFA) program, which supports youth entrepreneurship connected to food and agriculture.
These initiatives demonstrate that Mastercard Foundation opportunities are not limited to university scholarships. Women interested in agriculture, agribusiness and related enterprises may also find relevant programs through Foundation partners.
Women and Digital Skills
Digital skills are increasingly important for accessing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
The Mastercard Foundation’s programs include initiatives designed to improve digital literacy and access to technology, particularly for underserved communities.
The Foundation lists programs such as Digital Skills for Employability, which focuses on developing digital skills that can help young people prepare for employment.
Digital Skills for Employability
It also supports Smart Africa Digital Markets For All (SAMA), another initiative connected to digital markets and economic participation.
Smart Africa Digital Markets For All (SAMA)
Women seeking digital careers should therefore monitor Mastercard Foundation partners and country-specific initiatives for training and employment opportunities.
Women and Employment Opportunities
The Foundation’s work also includes programs designed to help young people transition from skills development into employment.
The Skilling and Transitioning Youth into Global Business (GBS) Jobs program is one example of an initiative focused on connecting young people with skills and employment opportunities.
Skilling and Transitioning Youth into Global Business Jobs
Women may also benefit from programs delivered through local partners that target specific industries, occupations or groups of young people.
Because these programs are partner-led, applicants should check the eligibility criteria and application instructions for each specific opportunity.
Women and Economic Empowerment
Economic empowerment is another major theme across the Foundation’s programming.
Programs such as Women Creating Wealth Intergenerational Edition (WCW-I) are specifically focused on women and economic opportunity.
Women Creating Wealth Intergenerational Edition (WCW-I)
The Foundation also lists Women and Youth Economic Empowerment in Fisheries (WEEF) through Inclusive Market Access, which addresses economic participation in the fisheries sector.
These examples show the breadth of opportunities available beyond conventional scholarship programs.
Regional Gender Program for Young Women
The Foundation also lists the Regional Gender Program – Accelerating Impact for Young Women in Africa (AIM).
This initiative specifically focuses on accelerating impact for young women in Africa.
Regional Gender Program – Accelerating Impact for Young Women in Africa (AIM)
For women interested in leadership, economic empowerment and youth-focused development initiatives, programs such as AIM may be worth following through official Mastercard Foundation and partner channels.
Who Can Benefit?
The specific eligibility requirements depend on the program.
Potential beneficiaries may include:
- African women pursuing higher education
- Young women seeking professional and digital skills
- Women entrepreneurs and youth-led businesses
- Women working in agriculture and food systems
- Women interested in digital careers
- Young women seeking employment pathways
- Women from underserved or underrepresented communities
- Women participating in specific sector or country programs
Not every program is open to every African country or age group. Applicants should therefore read the official requirements before applying.
How to Find and Apply for Opportunities
There is no single application process covering all Mastercard Foundation programs.
The most effective approach is to identify the specific opportunity and then follow the application instructions provided by the responsible university, NGO, company or program partner.
Applicants should:
- Identify an opportunity matching their education, skills or business interests.
- Check the participating country or target group.
- Review eligibility requirements.
- Check whether applications are currently open.
- Prepare the requested documents.
- Apply through the official program or partner website.
- Avoid paying unofficial agents or individuals claiming to represent the Mastercard Foundation.
The Foundation’s programs are delivered through partners, so application procedures can differ considerably.
Additional Information
African women should not assume that every Mastercard Foundation opportunity is a scholarship. The Foundation’s current programming covers education, skills development, entrepreneurship, employment, financial inclusion and other pathways to economic opportunity.
The Young Africa Works strategy is particularly relevant because it places emphasis on young women alongside other groups that can face barriers to education and employment.
Opportunities can also change as individual programs open, close or move into new implementation phases. Applicants should therefore check official program pages regularly rather than relying on old social media posts or unofficial scholarship advertisements.
Final Thoughts
The Mastercard Foundation Opportunities for African Women represent a broad collection of education, employment, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment initiatives.
From the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program to programs focused on digital skills, agriculture, entrepreneurship, women’s economic empowerment and employment, there are multiple pathways for women to develop their education, careers and businesses.
However, each opportunity has its own eligibility requirements and application process. The safest approach is to identify the specific program and apply through its official partner.
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