GIVING DIGEST: Mastercard Foundation Champions Young Entrepreneurs in Uganda
The Mastercard Foundation is making bold strides toward transforming Uganda’s economic landscape, one young entrepreneur at a time. At a recent two-day event in Kampala, the Foundation reviewed its ten-year strategy, Young Africa Works, and reaffirmed its commitment to empowering millions of young Ugandans through dignified and fulfilling work opportunities.
With 78% of Uganda’s population under the age of 30, Mastercard Foundation Country Director Adrian Bukenya emphasized the urgency of supporting youth entrepreneurship not just as a means of livelihood, but as a critical pillar for national economic growth. Since its inception, Young Africa Works has engaged over 3.8 million young people, helping them build skills, access finance, and start enterprises, 1.3 million of whom have already transitioned into employment.
During the event, over 30 innovative youth-led enterprises were showcased, spanning sectors such as agriculture, technology, art, fashion, and education. The event brought together young entrepreneurs, policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners, sparking dialogue on the future of youth enterprise and the role of inclusion, finance, and digital transformation in scaling these ventures.
The Foundation stressed that access to finance remains a significant barrier for many young people, especially women, refugees, persons with disabilities, and rural youth. Through digital platforms, financial literacy training, and public-private partnerships, Mastercard is working to bridge these gaps and build sustainable, scalable enterprises that go beyond donor support.
Government representatives and private sector partners echoed this call to action. Godfrey Byamukama from the Ministry of Finance praised Mastercard’s alignment with national development goals, urging young people to leverage existing wealth-creation funds. John Walugembe, Executive Director of the Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, committed to continued training and mentorship, as well as advocating for accessible financing without collateral requirements.
As Mastercard Foundation looks ahead to 2030, its goal is ambitious yet clear: to help 30 million young Africans, especially women, secure dignified and fulfilling work. The message is simple, investing in youth is not a risk, but a roadmap to a thriving, inclusive economy.
Because when we invest in youth, we unlock the future.
Read more about how Mastercard ins impacting young people in their communities HERE:
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