Ethiopia: Addis Ababa University Wins Inaugural Mastercard Foundation Prize, Secures $3 Million for Higher Education Transformation

22 July 2026
Addis Standard (Addis Ababa)

Addis Abeba — Addis Ababa University (AAU) has been named one of five African universities to receive the inaugural Africa Higher Education for Transformation (AHEFT) Prize, securing USD 3 million in funding from the Mastercard Foundation to expand its work in research, innovation, and workforce development.

Discover moreColleges & UniversitiesScientific research fundingMultilateral Organizations The award, announced on Monday in Kigali, Rwanda, is part of the newly launched Africa Higher Education for Transformation (AHEFT) Prize, a first-of-its-kind annual initiative backed by a USD 500 million commitment over the next decade. The program recognizes African higher education institutions demonstrating sustained, institution-wide transformation and expanding opportunities for young people across the continent.

AAU received the award under the Excellence in Research and Innovation category.

According to the Mastercard Foundation, the university was recognized for aligning its research agenda with Ethiopia's national development priorities, strengthening workforce development, and translating scientific research into economic opportunities, improved public services, and community wellbeing.

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Discover moreAfricans & DiasporaAfrica'sAddis Ababa tourism The Foundation also highlighted AAU's close integration with Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia's largest referral hospital, noting that the partnership serves approximately 884,000 patients annually while supporting large-scale clinical training, medical research, and healthcare service delivery.

Online university courses Each of the five winning institutions will receive USD 3 million to scale transformative initiatives agreed upon with the Foundation to expand educational opportunities for young people across Africa.

Announcing the inaugural winners, Sewit Ahderom, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, said the prize aims to strengthen African institutions that have demonstrated their ability to transform higher education.

Discover moreteachingEducationMagazinesTertiary education scholarshipsDemographicsHigher education consultingAfrican news analysisOnline university coursesCorporate social responsibilityGeographic Reference "For twenty years we have seen African institutions rethink what higher education can deliver. The AHEFT Prize turns that proof into momentum: we are backing homegrown excellence with a decade-long commitment, so that universities across the continent become engines of opportunity for millions of young people," she said.

The Foundation said the AHEFT Prize will recognize institutions that have demonstrated transformational impact in areas including teaching and learning, transitions to employment, research and innovation, entrepreneurship, as well as priority sectors such as health, climate, agriculture, and STEM, including digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

Philanthropy consulting services Dr. John Nkengasong, Executive Director for Higher Education Initiatives at the Mastercard Foundation, said the initiative seeks to redefine the role of universities in Africa's development.

"This is the moment to reimagine what higher education institutions can do as engines of human capital development--not only as a place of learning, but as a direct route to work, to economic participation, and to a better future for young people across Africa."

Alongside AAU, the inaugural laureates include the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) in Burkina Faso, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, Muni University in Uganda, and the University of Rwanda, recognized respectively for excellence in teaching and learning, research and innovation, transitions to employment, and health.

The Mastercard Foundation said it plans to recognize at least 150 higher education institutions across Africa over the next ten years through the AHEFT Prize.

The inaugural winners will formally receive their awards during the Higher Education Transformation Convening scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, on 22 September 2026. AS

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