Mastercard Foundation has launched the Young Africa Works, with a goal to enable more than three million young people in Uganda to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities by 2030, Development Diaries has gathered.
It was learnt that the foundation has committed $200 million to ensure young women, men, and refugees in the East African country have access to economic opportunities in agriculture, tourism and hospitality, and construction/housing.
It was also gathered that Mastercard Foundation will be working with a range of partners to realise its goals under Young Africa Works.
Partners already working with the foundation include the Private Sector Foundation, Uganda, the Innovation Village, Gudie Leisure Farm, GOAL Uganda, the National Social Security Fund, and Equity Bank Uganda.
At the virtual launch of the strategy, the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, said that the major goal of the Young Africa Works was in line with his administration’s national development plan.
He said, ‘I commend Mastercard Foundation for your efforts towards youth empowerment and transformation in Africa over the last decade. I am glad to note that your focus over the next decade is on uplifting young people by expanding employment opportunities. The Young Africa Works’ strategy is in line with the work that our government is doing to achieve the goal of a healthy, educated, and prosperous population’.
On her part, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the foundation, Reeta Roy, said that the implementation of Young Africa Works was already underway and discussed the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders involved in the project.
‘We have formed partnerships with a number of organisations and together, if we are successful, they already represent 30 percent of the goal of having 30 million people in dignified and fulfilling work. What’s special is how our partners have come together to intentionally collaborate and leverage each other’s strengths’, she said.
Source: Mastercard Foundation
Photo source: GovernmentZA
