Twenty years ago, the Mastercard Foundation began with a belief that access to education and financial inclusion could advance prosperity for underserved people and communities.
We started by listening to partners, youth, and communities. Their insights helped shape an approach that was based on deeply held values, respect, and continuous learning. From a small organization with a bold vision, we have grown into one of the world’s largest foundations. Working alongside partners in Africa and Indigenous communities in Canada, we are enabling young people to access to dignified and fulfilling work and to reach their full potential.
Guided by curiosity, shaped by partnership, and grounded in trust, this digital exhibit helps us to reflect on where we have been, how we have grown, and the impact we have achieved.
By exploring our shared history, we will continue to learn, evolve, and co-create the next chapter, together.
Twenty years ago, the Mastercard Foundation began with a belief that access to education and financial inclusion could advance prosperity for underserved people and communities.
We started by listening to partners, youth, and communities. Their insights helped shape an approach that was based on deeply held values, respect, and continuous learning. From a small organization with a bold vision, we have grown into one of the world’s largest foundations. Working alongside partners in Africa and Indigenous communities in Canada, we are enabling young people to access to dignified and fulfilling work and to reach their full potential.
Guided by curiosity, shaped by partnership, and grounded in trust, this digital exhibit helps us to reflect on where we have been, how we have grown, and the impact we have achieved.
By exploring our shared history, we will continue to learn, evolve, and co-create the next chapter, together.
During our first decade, deeply rooted values shaped our identity and approach. Guiding principles, such as an inherent belief in the agency of the young people and the communities we serve and a respect for partners’ knowledge and expertise, helped us to build trust first and to listen before we act.
In this first section, Dina Randrianasolo, Director, Strategic Partnerships and Innovation, details the impact of the Youth Think Tank and we see how our partnership with BRAC and Digital Opportunity Trust contributed to the way we approach our work.
During our first decade, deeply rooted values shaped our identity and approach. Guiding principles, such as an inherent belief in the agency of the young people and the communities we serve and a respect for partners’ knowledge and expertise, helped us to build trust first and to listen before we act.
In this first section, Dina Randrianasolo, Director, Strategic Partnerships and Innovation, details the impact of the Youth Think Tank and we see how our partnership with BRAC and Digital Opportunity Trust contributed to the way we approach our work.
Our evolution has been marked by ongoing reflection and adaptation. After 10 years of programming, learning, and experimentation, we asked ourselves how we could make an even greater impact. We shifted our strategy to focus on a single complex problem, youth under- and unemployment in Africa.
In this section, Peter Materu, Chief Program Officer, details how this vision came to life; Nabasa Jonathan, program participant through the I-UpShift Program in Uganda, demonstrates the ripple effect we so often see through our programs; and we see how our Young Africa Works strategy continues to evolve.
Our evolution has been marked by ongoing reflection and adaptation. After 10 years of programming, learning, and experimentation, we asked ourselves how we could make an even greater impact. We shifted our strategy to focus on a single complex problem, youth under- and unemployment in Africa.
In this section, Peter Materu, Chief Program Officer, details how this vision came to life; Nabasa Jonathan, program participant through the I-UpShift Program in Uganda, demonstrates the ripple effect we so often see through our programs; and we see how our Young Africa Works strategy continues to evolve.
Throughout our journey, several programs have come to define our commitment to education, livelihoods, and youth leadership and entrepreneurship, particularly the Mastercard Foundation's Scholars Program, EleV Program, and the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative.
In this section, Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director, Canada Programs, reflects on the co-creation of the EleV Program; Hadiza Yusuf, Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, details her journey as a transformative leader; and we look at Saving Lives and Livelihoods’ lasting impact through the lens of strengthening Africa’s vaccine infrastructure.
Throughout our journey, several programs have come to define our commitment to education, livelihoods, and youth leadership and entrepreneurship, particularly the Mastercard Foundation's Scholars Program, EleV Program, and the Saving Lives and Livelihoods initiative.
In this section, Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director, Canada Programs, reflects on the co-creation of the EleV Program; Hadiza Yusuf, Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Carnegie Mellon University Africa, details her journey as a transformative leader; and we look at Saving Lives and Livelihoods’ lasting impact through the lens of strengthening Africa’s vaccine infrastructure.
Equity and inclusion are at the heart of our mission. Over the years, diverse voices have been central to our decision-making. Our work reflects an ongoing effort to ensure those who are most affected by our programs are those whose voices guide our strategies and shape solutions. In this way, we continue to challenge inequities and foster spaces where everyone can contribute and lead.
In this section, Karen Meyer, Head of Refugee and Displaced Persons Programs, reflects on how listening led to a commitment to long-term solutions; Phiwayinkhosi Precious Lukhele, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Ashesi University, details the challenges and triumphs of navigating entrepreneurship as someone with a physical disability; and we learn how we now work more directly with youth-led organizations through trust and deeper engagement.
Equity and inclusion are at the heart of our mission. Over the years, diverse voices have been central to our decision-making. Our work reflects an ongoing effort to ensure those who are most affected by our programs are those whose voices guide our strategies and shape solutions. In this way, we continue to challenge inequities and foster spaces where everyone can contribute and lead.
In this section, Karen Meyer, Head of Refugee and Displaced Persons Programs, reflects on how listening led to a commitment to long-term solutions; Phiwayinkhosi Precious Lukhele, a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at Ashesi University, details the challenges and triumphs of navigating entrepreneurship as someone with a physical disability; and we learn how we now work more directly with youth-led organizations through trust and deeper engagement.
From our early years, we emphasized the importance of measurement and learning. A forward-looking approach at a time when rigorous impact measurement was still emerging in international development. But as our work evolved, so did our approach to impact.
In this section, 2018 Youth Think Tank member Charles Mankhwazi shows us the ripple effect of our impact and we see how education has helped to shape the path of African alumni of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
From our early years, we emphasized the importance of measurement and learning. A forward-looking approach at a time when rigorous impact measurement was still emerging in international development. But as our work evolved, so did our approach to impact.
In this section, 2018 Youth Think Tank member Charles Mankhwazi shows us the ripple effect of our impact and we see how education has helped to shape the path of African alumni of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.
Over the last 20 years, our journey has focused on listening, learning, and deepening our commitment to co-creation, youth voice, and inclusion. Young people continue to remind us that recognizing their agency requires us to listen with intention, act with respect, and lead with humility. These values are not only foundational to our work but also key to the impact we strive to achieve.
In this section, the Africa Youth Employment Outlook 2026 examines how demographic growth, economic transformation, and education systems are shaping employment opportunities for Africa’s young people. And we see how Indigenous organizations are creating new models and structures that are transforming philanthropy, cultural revitalization, work, and learning.
Over the last 20 years, our journey has focused on listening, learning, and deepening our commitment to co-creation, youth voice, and inclusion. Young people continue to remind us that recognizing their agency requires us to listen with intention, act with respect, and lead with humility. These values are not only foundational to our work but also key to the impact we strive to achieve.
In this section, the Africa Youth Employment Outlook 2026 examines how demographic growth, economic transformation, and education systems are shaping employment opportunities for Africa’s young people. And we see how Indigenous organizations are creating new models and structures that are transforming philanthropy, cultural revitalization, work, and learning.