The Mastercard Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 Associates Programme, offering paid 12-month internships for young Africans seeking early career experience across multiple sectors.
- The Mastercard Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 Associates Programme, offering paid 12-month internships for young Africans seeking early...
- The initiative aims to equip young people with practical workplace skills, leadership training, mentorship, and career support as they transition...
- The initiative also prioritises inclusion by encouraging applications from women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and people living with disabilities.
- Associates will also get mentorship and access to professional networks across industries.
Keep reading for the full breakdown on African youth — everything you need to know is covered below.
The initiative aims to equip young people with practical workplace skills, leadership training, mentorship, and career support as they transition from education into employment or entrepreneurship. According to programme details released by the Foundation and its partners, the initiative has already supported more than 1,000 young people across 22 African countries since its launch in 2023.
Opportunities for Young Professionals
The programme targets Africans aged between 18 and 35, particularly recent graduates and young professionals with limited work experience. Organisers said applicants with zero to two years of professional experience are encouraged to apply.
The initiative also prioritises inclusion by encouraging applications from women, refugees, internally displaced persons, and people living with disabilities. Alumni of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme and other Foundation initiatives are also eligible to participate.
Selected candidates will be placed in partner organisations across Africa where they will gain workplace exposure while contributing to ongoing projects and development programmes.
Internship Benefits and Career Support
Participants selected for the Associates Programme will receive financial support throughout the internship period to help reduce economic barriers that may prevent young people from accessing professional opportunities.
The programme also includes leadership and entrepreneurship training focused on problem-solving, teamwork, innovation, and workplace readiness. Associates will also get mentorship and access to professional networks across industries.
Organisers explained that the initiative seeks to strengthen employability by helping young Africans build confidence, gain experience, and prepare for long-term careers or business ventures.
Application Pathways Across Africa
Applications are currently open on a rolling basis through different regional recruitment partners.
Young people in South Africa are expected to apply through the Youth Employment Service platform, while applicants from Anglophone West Africa can submit applications through Jobberman. Other regional partners include Talent 2 Africa for Francophone countries, Shortlist Futures for East Africa, and Talentum for remote positions.
Applicants have been advised to apply only for opportunities available in their country of residence unless applying for remote positions.
Partner Organisations Driving the Programme
The programme works alongside several organisations involved in youth development, employability, and professional training across the continent.
Some of the organisations supporting the initiative include Youth Employment Service, Leap Africa, KPMG, Light for the World, LifeHikes, Talentum, and Shortlist Futures. These partnerships are intended to expand internship placements and strengthen professional development opportunities for participants.
The Mastercard Foundation said the Associates Programme forms part of broader efforts to improve access to meaningful work opportunities for African youth while supporting inclusive economic growth across the continent.
Visit the official MasterCard Foundation webpage to apply.