The Mastercard Foundation has launched the Africa Higher Education for Transformation Prize backed by a $500 million commitment. Five universities have been named as the first laureates for 2026.
The Mastercard Foundation has officially launched the Africa Higher Education for Transformation Prize. The initiative includes a $500 million commitment over the first decade to recognize higher education institutions driving systemic change across Africa.
Five universities were selected as laureates for the inaugural 2026 cycle. They are Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering in Burkina Faso, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana, Muni University in Uganda and the University of Rwanda. Each will receive $3 million.
Sewit Ahderom, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation, said the award builds on two decades of work by African institutions. The laureates will be honored at the Higher Education Transformation Convening scheduled for September 22, 2026, in Accra, Ghana. The prize is expected to recognize at least 150 institutions over ten years.