Africa Mindset Reset Forum 2026: From Pan-Africanism to Meta-Africanism
Reflection by IDRIS AYAB Mastercard Foundation Alumni, Class of ’25 I am deeply grateful to the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at the University of British Columbia for supporting my participation in the Africa Mindset Reset Forum 2026, organised by the African School of Governance (ASG) in Kigali, Rwanda, from 25–26 August 2026. Themed “From Pan-Africanism to Meta-Africanism,” the […]
Looking Back to Move Forward: Oluwaseyi Ezekiel’s reflections from the McGill Africa Umoja Summit
Oluwaseyi EzekielMastercard Foundation Scholar Q: Can you tell us about your experience at the McGill Africa Umoja Summit? A: I had the opportunity to attend the McGill Africa Umoja Summit in Montreal, a gathering focused on exploring African Indigenous knowledge systems and their relevance in addressing today’s global challenges. The summit brought together scholars, students, […]
“Reflections from AWC West 2026: Mastercard Foundation Scholars on Leadership and Resilient Agriculture”
Beyond the Conference Room: Four Scholars Reflect on Leadership, Wellbeing, and Resilient Agriculture In March 2026, three Mastercard Foundation Scholars from the University of British Columbia traveled to Calgary, Alberta, to attend the Advancing Women in Agriculture (AWC West) Conference, an annual gathering of leaders, practitioners, and changemakers working to shape the future of agriculture […]
Muhammad Adeiza Bello’s Journey as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar
Mastercard Foundation Scholar (Muhammad Bello) at the University of British Columbia, Class of 2025. For Muhammad, education has always represented more than academic achievement; it has been a lifeline. Growing up in a family where his parents did not have the opportunity to pursue formal education, the path to university was uncertain and often fragile. […]
The Journey of Debbie Oyebanji
Mastercard Foundation Alumna, Class of 2018 Debbie Oyebanji often describes herself as someone with a deeply curious mind. It is a simple statement, but one that carries the weight of a journey shaped not just by ambition but by observation, reflection, and a quiet insistence on understanding how the world works. Her story begins in […]
Olatomide Ojajune—A Mastercard Foundation Scholar’s Reflections on the Baobab Summit 2025
Olatomide Ojajune, Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ Representative, Class of ’26 From October 16 to 21, I had the privilege of attending the Baobab Summit 2025 in Nairobi, Kenya, and it remains one of the most inspiring experiences of my journey so far. As I walked into the venue, the vibrant energy in the room immediately awed […]
Scholars’ Reflection: Expanding Perspectives at Sciences Po, Paris
Reflections from Mastercard Foundation Scholars – Oluwaseun Makanjuola and Kudirat Abdulkareem This winter, two Mastercard Foundation scholars from the University of British Columbia, Oluwaseun Makanjuola and Kudirat Abdulkareem, had the opportunity to participate in a two-week academic program at Sciences Po, Paris, focused on international relations and global catastrophic risk. Set in one of the […]
Reflections from a Mastercard Foundation Scholar: Innovating for Sustainable Food Systems (Keith May)
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to attend the CARE InnovEAT Hackathon at the University of Guelph in Guelph, Ontario. The hackathon was an opportunity to join a sprint on ‘Hacking’ sustainable solutions to the challenges of climate change for a sustainable food system in Canada. It was amazing to take a deeper dive […]
Reflections from Mastercard Foundation Scholar, Seth Oduro, on the Afronomics Masterclass Conference
Attending the Afronomics Masterclass at the UPSA Law School (July 28–29, 2025) was a transformative experience. The event brought together brilliant legal scholars, economists, and policy experts to unpack Africa’s role in the global green transition from climate finance to food sovereignty. One of my key takeaways was how climate finance and sovereign debt remain […]
August Spotlight: Benedicta Antwi Boasiako (2024/2025 Cohort Mastercard Foundation Scholars Council Representative)—Reflecting on her journey with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program: a path of growth, learning, and alignment where she’s been challenged, supported, and reminded of why she started.
Benedicta Antwi hails from Faaman, a small town in the Bono Region of Ghana. She comes from a close-knit family and although growing up wasn’t always easy, she had a strong support system. She notes her brother who consistently reminded her that her starting point was never a limit to how far she could go. […]