Mastercard Foundation

Meet Felistus Katiku. Farming is a common livelihood in her village, but it always felt out of reach. Still, she never stopped imagining a future where she could farm on her own terms. Today, she’s mentoring others and leading change in her community. Read her story of courage and hope: ow.ly/kxK850YvVuS

At the Mastercard Foundation, we're committed to unlocking the potential of young women and girls in Africa by creating viable pathways through education and into dignified and fulfilling work. Swipe to see how 🔁 #IWD2026

Applications Closing Soon! The Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) program supports the next generation of entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and a network of like-minded entrepreneurs and mentors. Learn more and apply: ow.ly/c95850YveVj

When Jamie first joined @EntrepreNorth she was an Indigenous entrepreneur trying to navigate the business world. Now, Jamie sees herself as someone who helps build spaces where other Indigenous entrepreneurs feel empowered to thrive. Learn more here: ow.ly/5u4C50YuUoR

Meet the mother-daughter team behind Bee Tree Farm, an initiative that is redefining women's leadership in agriculture. Through organic farming, nutrition, and community training, they’re empowering young women and building a more inclusive food system. Watch their journey here: ow.ly/sbym50YtyRK @IDHTrade

Young women make up 61% (62 million) of young people in Africa who are not in employment, education, or training. Closing this gap is crucial for driving economic transformation across the continent. Learn more: ow.ly/6nTW50YsNgz

Apply now to the Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) Program. We’re supporting and training the next generation of entrepreneurs from the Young African Leaders Initiative, @ALAcademy, @AnzishaPrize, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. Learn more: ow.ly/39Pk50YsqEC

Episode 3 of Education: Transforming Lives, Transforming Africa spotlights the educators redesigning learning itself. Through new tools and leadership capacity, teachers are moving beyond delivering content to driving systemic change. #CreatingImpactTogether @MastercardFdn

What happens when refugees, businesses, banks, and universities meet in the same room? Opportunity becomes action. The @Refugees and @MastercardFdn Opportunities Fair in Nairobi connected displaced people with the partners, institutions, and resources to move forward. 🧵

Since 2023, the Mastercard Foundation has partnered with the @batongafdn to empower young women and girls in rural southern Senegal. Aminata Manga's journey illustrates how, when equipped with the right tools, rural women can become powerful agents of social and economic transformation. Learn more: ow.ly/JhBg50YrtFR #IWD2026

Before sunrise, Sekina’s bakery is already at work. What began as a home bakery now produces 800 loaves of bread a day. Through Inkomoko’s partnership with @MastercardFdn , she received training, coaching, and capital to grow her business. Read more here :tinyurl.com/39ttnpcp

Young women in Africa are powerful drivers of the continent’s economic growth and transformation. This International Women’s Day, and every day, let’s remove the systemic barriers young women face and expand opportunities for them to reach their full potential. ow.ly/PVfw50YqCiX #IWD2026

Four young women entrepreneurs share one united call: finance systems and institutions must evolve and design solutions with young people, not for them. Read their calls to action: ow.ly/fHAW50YqgQ7 #IWD2026

Nyibol Racheal founded @RefugeeMHNetwork, an organization based in Kampala that empowers #refugees, particularly women and youth, through mental health awareness, education, and psychosocial support. Watch Nyibol's story: ow.ly/7lz150YpFZC #IWD2026

In Her Hands, she restores justice, case by case Meet Ameera Abdalla, a Sudanese lawyer who fled conflict months after opening her own practice, carrying only her law certificate and qualifications. 🧵 1/5

What will it take to strengthen data-driven decision-making and improve education systems across Africa? This month's edition of #EdTechMondaysAfrica explores how to bridge the gap between data collection and actionable insight. Watch it here: ow.ly/lYtr50YoJTj

This #IWD2026, we celebrate the young women and girls across our network—including displaced youth, young people living with disabilities, and the partners driving inclusion and meaningful change. Learn more here: ow.ly/n5Zq50Yo9zP

Episode 1 is a mirror, it shows us that the knowledge, the talent, and the will already exist. We aren't waiting for permission to lead. We are already building. #CreatingImpactTogether @ntvkenya @MastercardFdn

"This wasn't malice - it was national self-preservation. But it meant Africa needed a different strategy, one based on African resources and African trust.” In a new op-ed, @JNkengasong argues that Africa must build and sustain its own health sovereignty, led by African institutions and resources. Read here: ow.ly/PFfb50YmkI4

Africa’s future is not waiting in boardrooms. It is sitting in classrooms. The premiere of Education: Transforming Lives, Transforming Africa premiers Friday on @ntvkenya, Sunday on @ntvuganda and Monday on @cnbcafrica @ghonetv @EAMGtv and @RTS1_Senegal #CreatingImpactTogether