Speaking at a media briefing, the Foundation's Country Director, Adrian Bukenya, underscored the urgency of equipping Africa's young workforce with the skills necessary to thrive in an evolving global economy.
The Mastercard Foundation has reaffirmed its commitment to lifting young Ugandans out of poverty through education and job creation, targeting 4.3 million youth by 2030.
Speaking at a media briefing, the Foundation's Country Director, Adrian Bukenya, underscored the urgency of equipping Africa's young workforce with the skills necessary to thrive in an evolving global economy.
Mr Bukenya noted that Africa's growing youth population presents a major opportunity for the global labour market, but only if young people receive the right support.
"Education is a critical enabler in helping young people make better choices. Providing them with foundational and structured support goes a long way in ensuring they can thrive in a changing global economy," he said.
Since the launch of its Young Africa Works Strategy in 2015, the Mastercard Foundation has focused on key areas such as education, financial inclusion, agriculture, entrepreneurship, and workforce development.
Through these efforts, the Foundation aims to empower millions of Ugandan youth, with 3.1 million of them being women.
Bukenya highlighted the importance of collaboration between the government and the private sector in ensuring sustainable impact.
"Our approach to co-creation and collaboration with the government and private sector is critical in driving sustainable impact. It's about adding value to what already exists and ensuring young people can access dignified and sustainable work opportunities," he noted.
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Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which initially slowed its progress, the Foundation has made significant strides.
By 2022, it had helped 47,000 young people access work opportunities, a number that has since risen to 1.2 million.
However, Bukenya stressed that the focus should go beyond merely providing jobs to ensuring dignified and sustainable employment.
"The conversation must shift from just access to work to ensuring it is dignified and sustainable. Young people need opportunities that allow them to grow, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to their communities," he said.
To reach its ambitious targets, the Foundation continues to invest in initiatives such as seed funding, digital skills training, recovery funding, and affordable financing.
It has supported projects in agriculture, including the dairy market system, white meat value chain, and coffee sector, as well as small agribusiness enterprises.
In education, the Scholars Program, in partnership with top universities, provides young people with access to quality learning.
The Foundation's collaboration with Muni University has been particularly impactful, offering market-relevant skills to both refugee and host communities.
As Uganda moves toward its 2030 youth employment goals, the Mastercard Foundation remains committed to ensuring young people's voices, needs, and aspirations shape its programs.
Through inclusive and strategic interventions, it continues to create pathways for dignified and sustainable employment, enabling young Ugandans to drive the country's economic future.
