Mastercard Foundation and UNHCR Launch $300M Partnership to Transform Education and Livelihoods for African Refugees

Nairobi, Kenya – April 29, 2025 – The Mastercard Foundation has announced a groundbreaking $300 million partnership with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, aimed at empowering over 500,000 young refugees and displaced individuals across Africa with education and employment opportunities by 2030.

A Lifeline for Displaced Communities

This five-year initiative represents one of the largest private philanthropic commitments for refugee support globally. The program will focus on:

Enabling 500,000+ youth (50% women, 5% persons with disabilities) to complete secondary education
Supporting 10,000 young people in higher education and vocational training
Creating access to decent work for 200,000 youth (70% women)
Strengthening 100 local and refugee-led organizations

Transforming Lives Through Opportunity

The partnership builds on successful pilot programs that have already helped 68,000 young people gain employment within six months. One such success story is Dr. Fatima Abdulkadir, a Sudanese physician who fled conflict in Darfur with her four children.

Through the program, Dr. Fatima and colleagues Yacoub and Hassan obtained professional accreditation to practice medicine in Chad, allowing them to support themselves while serving both refugee and host communities.

“Being able to work is much more than income – it’s a return to identity, dignity and purpose,” said Dr. Fatima.

Addressing Africa’s Displacement Crisis

With 45 million displaced people across Africa, the initiative will prioritize regions most affected by crises in countries like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kelly T. Clements, UNHCR’s Deputy High Commissioner, emphasized: “This commitment lays the foundation for sustainable reconstruction and meaningful contributions to host communities.”

About the Partners

UNHCR

The UN Refugee Agency operates in over 135 countries, providing protection and assistance to millions displaced by conflict and persecution.