The Mastercard Foundation has launched the Africa Higher Education for Transformation (AHEFT) Prize, a first of its kind annual award backed by a USD 500 million commitment over its first decade.
The AHEFT Prize recognizes higher education institutions across Africa that are driving sustained, institution wide transformation while expanding opportunities for young people through education, research, innovation and workforce development.
The inaugural recipients are Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia); the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) (Burkina Faso); Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana); Muni University (Uganda); and the University of Rwanda (Rwanda). Each institution will receive USD 3 million to scale transformative initiatives, with funding supporting programmes agreed upon with each institution to expand education opportunities for young people across Africa.
“For twenty years we have seen African institutions rethink what higher education can deliver. The AHEFT Prize turns that proof into momentum: we are backing homegrown excellence with a decade long commitment, so that universities across the continent become engines of opportunity for millions of young people,” said Sewit Ahderom, President and CEO of the Mastercard Foundation.
The 2026 AHEFT Prize Laureates
Addis Ababa University (AAU), Ethiopia
Category: Excellence in Research and Innovation
Addis Ababa University was recognized for aligning research with national priorities, strengthening workforce development, and translating scientific knowledge into economic opportunity, improved public services and community wellbeing. Its integration with Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, which serves approximately 884,000 patients annually, supports large scale clinical training, research and healthcare delivery.
International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE), Burkina Faso
Category: Excellence in Teaching and Learning
2iE was recognized for its innovative, practice based engineering and technical education model, demonstrating how hands on, problem driven learning produces highly employable graduates. Established by 16 African countries in the Sahel region, the institution has trained more than 13,000 graduates, with 70 percent securing employment within 12 months of graduation. More than 95 percent of graduates remain in Africa, contributing to sectors including water, climate, energy and infrastructure.
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana
Category: Excellence in Research and Innovation
KNUST was honoured for developing one of Africa’s leading research-to-innovation ecosystems. Through initiatives such as the Kumasi Business Incubator, Innovation Centre and Technology Consultancy Centre, the university has successfully translated research into startups, industry solutions and public impact and thus demonstrating how science, technology and entrepreneurship can drive economic transformation and job creation.
Muni University (MU), Uganda
Category: Transitions to Employment
Muni University was recognized for creating effective pathways from education to employment for refugees and underserved youth. Through its Refugee and Host Community Youth Empowerment and Transformation Initiative (RETI), the university has enabled up to 70 percent of participants to secure employment within three months of completing the programme.
University of Rwanda (UR)
Category: Excellence in Health
The University of Rwanda was recognized for its significant contribution to strengthening Rwanda’s health system and workforce, having trained more than 26,000 health professionals. Its community-based training model reaches nearly 500,000 people through clinical placements, outreach programmes, and university health services. Today, the university is also recognized as a regional leader in digital health, vaccinology, biomedical engineering and health systems innovation.
The AHEFT Prize recognizes institutions delivering transformational impact across thematic areas including Teaching and Learning, Transitions to Employment, Research and Innovation and Entrepreneurship, as well as priority sectors such as Climate and Environment, Agriculture and Agri-food Systems, Health, and STEM, Digital Technologies and Artificial Intelligence.
Over the next decade, the Prize will recognize and support at least 150 higher education institutions across Africa.
“This is the moment to reimagine what higher education institutions can do as engines of human capital development—not only as places of learning, but as direct pathways to employment, economic participation, and a better future for young people across Africa,” said Dr. John Nkengasong, Executive Director, Higher Education Initiatives, Mastercard Foundation.
The winning institutions will be formally honoured during the Higher Education Transformation Convening, scheduled to take place in Accra, Ghana, on September 22, 2026. For more information about the AHEFT Prize, the inaugural cohort, and eligibility for future award cycles, visit the Africa Higher Education For | Mastercard Foundation.
