History Spotlight 16 - Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa

In 2024, the Corporate History team launched “Our History, Our Legacy,” a three-year campaign to connect all employees globally to the Foundation’s history, milestones, and ways of working. One of the tactics within this promotional campaign included the release of "History Spotlights", which highlight the Foundation's past work, and emphasize its unique approach to philanthropy through trust-based partnerships, collaborative learning, and empowerment of youth in driving sustainable impact.

This sixteenth History Spotlight was posted to the Foundation's internal communication channels on February 20, 2025 and included the following contextual information:

In 2009, the Mastercard Foundation decided to focus our resources on Sub-Saharan Africa. It is one of the fastest-growing regions in the world, with an immense youth population but with a high burden of poverty. We saw the opportunity to enable quality education and access to innovative programs leading to viable employment opportunities. This strategic decision allowed us to heighten our impact and take a long-term view.