Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship

History and Founding Story

The Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is an entrepreneurship acceleration program established to bolster promising African EdTech ventures. The initiative is a collaborative effort, implemented in partnership with various innovation hubs and EdTech accelerators across Africa. This distributed model allows the program to leverage local expertise and networks, fostering a continent-wide impact. The program has seen successful completion of cohorts in multiple countries, including Tanzania, South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and Senegal, demonstrating its sustained commitment to nurturing the EdTech ecosystem in Africa.

Mission and Values

The core mission of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is to support African EdTech companies in achieving scale, sustainability, and significant impact. The program is deeply rooted in values of accessibility, inclusivity, and affordability in education, believing that technology can be a powerful enabler for these goals. By providing critical business and financial support, alongside insights into the science of learning, the Fellowship aims to empower ventures that are transforming education across the continent.

Program Structure and Timeline

The Fellowship operates through a cohort-based model, with applications opening annually for new iterations in various countries. The program is implemented by local partners such as Sahara Consult in Tanzania, Injini in South Africa, Co-creation HUB (CcHUB) in Nigeria, MEST Africa in Ghana, and iHUB in Kenya. Each partner runs an acceleration program tailored to their local context while adhering to the overarching goals of the Mastercard Foundation. The program culminates in 'Demo Days,' where participating companies showcase their improved solutions to stakeholders, demonstrating their progress and potential for impact. For instance, in 2024, 92 EdTech companies from implementing partner tech hubs across Africa showcased their innovations.

Mentorship and Network

The program provides extensive mentorship, drawing on the expertise of its implementing partners and the broader Mastercard Foundation network. This includes guidance on business development, financial strategies, and the science of learning. The Fellowship also facilitates networking opportunities, as evidenced by events like the WAEMU EdTech Conference in Dakar, which gathered over 150 participants, including innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs, to discuss the future of EdTech in the Francophone region. This robust network is crucial for participants to connect with potential investors, partners, and fellow entrepreneurs.

What Makes It Unique

What sets the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship apart is its pan-African reach combined with localized implementation. By partnering with established innovation hubs in various countries, the program ensures that support is culturally relevant and addresses specific regional challenges and opportunities. The focus on the 'science of learning' alongside business and financial support also provides a holistic approach to EdTech development, ensuring that solutions are not only viable but also pedagogically sound and effective.

Notable Outcomes

The program has a strong track record of success. In 2024, 92 EdTech companies showcased their improved solutions, demonstrating how their innovations are making learning more accessible, inclusive, and affordable. The successful completion of multiple cohorts across various countries, with some partners now on their third iteration, highlights the program's effectiveness in fostering growth and impact within the African EdTech landscape. The Demo Days serve as a testament to the tangible progress made by the participating ventures.

What Participants Can Expect Day-to-Day

Participants can expect an intensive acceleration experience focused on refining their solutions, strengthening their business models, and preparing for scale. This involves regular engagement with mentors, workshops on various aspects of business and education technology, and opportunities to network with peers and industry stakeholders. The program is designed to be hands-on, providing practical support and insights to help EdTech ventures navigate the challenges of growth and impact. Fellows will gain critical business and financial acumen, as well as a deeper understanding of how to effectively integrate learning science into their technological solutions.