2026 Mastercard Foundation Associates Program for Africans
The Mastercard Foundation Associates Program connects young Africans, particularly recent graduates and Mastercard Foundation programme alumni, with 12-month paid work placements, employability and enrichment training, and structured mentorship.
The programme equips participants with practical experience, professional exposure, and workplace competencies that support their transition into dignified and fulfilling employment.
Summary of the 2026 Mastercard Foundation Associates Program
- Type: Training
- Sponsor: Mastercard Foundation
- Duration: 12 months
- Benefits: 12-month paid work placements, Employability and enrichment training, Structured mentorship.
- Deadline: Not Specified
Eligibility Criteria for the 2026 Mastercard Foundation Associates Program
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Age Requirement: Be between 18 and 34 years old
- Education Requirement: Hold at least a diploma or first-degree qualification
- Employment Status: Be unemployed or underemployed
- Work Authorization: Possess a valid work permit allowing them to work in their country of residence (if different from their country of citizenship)
- Residency: Be a resident in an African country
- Alumni Status:Â Be an alum of a Mastercard Foundation-supported programme (e.g., Anzisha Prize, CorpsAfrica, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, Skoll Emerging Leaders Initiative, Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Youth Think Tank, Zambezi Prize, or the Mastercard Foundation Associates Program).
- National Service Requirement: Have completed the country’s mandatory national service, where applicable.
- Applications from Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and Refugees and Displaced Persons (RDPs)
Training PerksÂ
- 12-month paid work placements, employability and enrichment training, and structured mentorship.
- Reasonable accommodations and tailored support mechanisms will be provided, where required, to ensure equitable access and full participation throughout the programme.
Application Documents
- Birth Certificate
- NYSC Certificate or Exemption Letter
- Evidence of participation in any Mastercard Foundation program
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)