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By Inga Ackermann

Across the African continent, young leaders are shaping the future, transforming their communities through innovation, resilience, and collaboration. Behind every empowered entrepreneur is a support system that helps turn potential into lasting impact.

A volunteering initiative has been recognised for its innovative approach which empowers online students to deliver positive change in their local communities. The ‘Life of Impact Volunteering Initiative’ involved 75 Africa-based online Mastercard Foundation Scholars and was led by Inga Ackermann, Online Learning and Leadership Coordinator for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

On March 12, 2025, Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program's University of Edinburgh community came together to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) in an online celebration.

Emerging from the Digital Education Practitioner Network (DEPN) project at the University of Edinburgh in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, a recent Google Academic Research Award funded project on training teachers who work in refugee settlements in Uganda, aims to address the significant challenges involved working in such contexts.

As the MScR component of the WESAF Doctoral Programme draws to a close, we reflect back on one of the highlights of the year. In April and May of 2024, Mastercard Foundation WESAF Fellows and a delegation of 13 academics from the University of Edinburgh participated in a 10-day Sustainability School at the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A unique Enterprise School for African student-entrepreneurs took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, in July 2024. The opportunity formed through the partnership between the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and the University of Edinburgh, united 72 postgraduate students from 13 countries to develop innovative skills and deliver business pitches to expert mentors and judges.