Five Institutions Honoured for Advancing Higher Education Transformation in Africa as the Mastercard Foundation launched the Africa Higher Education for Transformation (AHEFT) Prize, a new annual award that celebrates universities making a lasting impact on education and opportunities for young people across the continent.
The AHEFT Prize is backed by a commitment of USD 500 million over the next 10 years. It recognizes African universities that are improving education, creating jobs, supporting innovation, and helping students build successful futures.
The first five institutions to receive the award are:
- Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia)
- International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) (Burkina Faso)
- Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (Ghana)
- Muni University (Uganda)
- University of Rwanda (Rwanda)
Each institution will receive USD 3 million to expand projects that improve learning, research, innovation, and employment opportunities for young people.
Mastercard Foundation President and CEO Sewit Ahderom said the Foundation has spent the last 20 years supporting African universities to improve higher education. She said the AHEFT Prize is designed to build on that success by investing in African-led solutions that can create opportunities for millions of young people.
Why the Universities Were Chosen
Addis Ababa University won in the Research and Innovation category for linking research with national development. Its close partnership with Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital allows students and researchers to improve healthcare while providing services to nearly 884,000 patients every year.
The International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) received the Teaching and Learning award for its practical engineering education. More than 13,000 students have graduated from the institution, with about 70 percent finding jobs within a year. Most graduates continue working in Africa in sectors such as water, energy, climate, and infrastructure.
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) was recognized for turning research into real businesses and practical solutions. Through its innovation centres and business incubator, the university supports startups, promotes entrepreneurship, and creates jobs.
Muni University won the Transitions to Employment award for helping refugees and disadvantaged young people move from education into work. Through its Refugee and Host Community Youth Empowerment and Transformation Initiative (RETI), up to 70 percent of participants secure employment within three months of completing the programme.
The University of Rwanda received the Health award for strengthening the country’s healthcare system. The university has trained more than 26,000 health professionals and reaches nearly 500,000 people through community health programmes. It is also a leader in digital health, biomedical engineering, vaccinology, and health systems innovation.
Supporting Africa’s Future
The AHEFT Prize will continue recognizing universities that excel in areas such as teaching, research, entrepreneurship, climate and environmental studies, agriculture, health, STEM, digital technology, and artificial intelligence. Over the next decade, at least 150 African higher education institutions are expected to receive awards.
Dr. John Nkengasong, Executive Director of Higher Education Initiatives at the Mastercard Foundation, said universities should become more than places of learning. He noted that they should prepare young people for employment, economic growth, and a better future across Africa.
The inaugural AHEFT Prize winners will be officially honoured during the Higher Education Transformation Convening in Accra, Ghana, on September 22, 2026. The Mastercard Foundation has also invited other eligible African institutions to apply for future editions of the prize.