The Mastercard Foundation is set to empower enthusiastic young Africans through its 2026 Graduate Internship Program. Aimed at recent graduates and early-career professionals, this initiative fosters career readiness, professional growth, and impactful contributions.
Program Overview
- This is an 11-month, fixed-term, full-time internship—non-renewable—designed to immerse interns in meaningful work across the Foundation’s operations.
- Interns will:
- Participate in the Foundation’s signature onboarding and orientation
- Gain access to career development programs and e-learning platforms
- Start date: 15 January 2026
Application deadline: 7 September 2025
Eligibility & Requirements
- Who can apply: Recent graduates (0–4 years of experience) with a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution
- Geographic eligibility: Must be eligible to work in one of the seven African countries where the Foundation operates:
- Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda
- Expectations:
- Active involvement in community service or extracurricular activities
- Strong academic record and passion for youth development, social impact, and inclusive growth in Africa
- Desired skills and traits:
- Research, analytical, problem-solving abilities
- Excellent written and verbal communication
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office or Google Workspace
- Capability to thrive in multicultural, collaborative environments
- Passion for innovation, learning, and making a difference in Africa
- Strong organizational, time-management, and self-motivation skills
- Note for Mastercard Foundation Alumni: Scholar Alumni who are currently enrolled in a course or participating in other Foundation programs are ineligible
Internship Roles & Experience
Interns are placed across diverse functional areas, giving them broad exposure to organizational operations:
- Finance
- Programs
- People & Culture
- Office of the CEO
- Legal & Compliance
- Impact, Research & Learning
- Public Affairs & Communications
- Digital Data Information & Technology (Technology)
How to Apply
Here’s how to apply for the Mastercard Internship Program 2026. If you’re interested and meet the qualifications, don’t hesitate to submit your application.
