Mastercard Foundation FAST Program 2026: Funding and Enterprise Support for African Alumni Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship continues to play a crucial role in shaping Africa’s economic future, and the Mastercard Foundation Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) Program is designed to empower young African entrepreneurs who are ready to transform their ideas into impactful businesses.

The Mastercard Foundation has launched the FAST Program to support alumni from selected leadership and scholarship programs who are building startups across Africa. The initiative provides financial support, enterprise development training, and access to a strong network of mentors and entrepreneurs to help founders scale their businesses and create sustainable impact.

The FAST Program recognizes that many talented young African leaders graduate from prestigious leadership and scholarship initiatives with innovative ideas but lack the resources, mentorship, and ecosystem support needed to grow their businesses. Through this initiative, the Mastercard Foundation aims to bridge that gap by providing the support needed to transition startups into successful and sustainable enterprises.

About the FAST Program

The Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition (FAST) is a program designed specifically for alumni entrepreneurs from selected Mastercard Foundation partner programs. It offers funding and enterprise support to help startups move from early-stage development into scalable and impactful ventures.

The program is part of the Mastercard Foundation’s broader mission to enable young people in Africa to access dignified and fulfilling work opportunities through entrepreneurship and innovation.

Participants in the FAST Program will benefit from a combination of financial support, mentorship, and business development resources designed to strengthen their entrepreneurial journey.

Key Objectives of the FAST Program

The FAST Program is designed to achieve several objectives that support young entrepreneurs across Africa.

First, the program seeks to provide financial resources that enable founders to grow their startups and expand their operations.

Second, it offers structured enterprise development support to strengthen business skills, strategic planning, and operational management.

Third, the program aims to create a vibrant network of entrepreneurs who can collaborate, share experiences, and support each other in building sustainable businesses.

Through these efforts, the FAST Program contributes to economic growth and job creation across the African continent.

Benefits of the FAST Program

Selected participants in the FAST Program will receive several valuable benefits that help accelerate their entrepreneurial journey.

One of the most important benefits is enterprise support, which includes structured business development training to strengthen business models, improve operations, and increase market readiness.

Participants will also gain access to mentorship opportunities, allowing them to connect with experienced entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and business professionals who can guide them through the challenges of startup growth.

In addition, the program connects entrepreneurs to a supportive network of like-minded founders, creating opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and shared learning.

The program may also provide financial support to help startups scale and transition into sustainable businesses.

Who Should Apply

The FAST Program is specifically designed for alumni entrepreneurs who are already part of certain leadership and scholarship networks supported by the Mastercard Foundation.

Applicants must be alumni of one of the following programs:

• Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI)

• African Leadership Academy (ALA)

• Anzisha Prize Fellowship Program

• Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program

These alumni communities consist of highly motivated young leaders who have demonstrated strong commitment to leadership, innovation, and social impact.

The FAST Program encourages entrepreneurs within these networks who are currently building or operating startups to apply.

Why the FAST Program Matters

Africa’s young population presents enormous opportunities for innovation and economic transformation. However, many startups struggle to access the capital, training, and networks necessary to scale their businesses.

Programs like the Mastercard Foundation FAST initiative play an important role in addressing these challenges by investing directly in the next generation of African entrepreneurs.

By supporting startups founded by alumni of major leadership initiatives, the program ensures that promising ideas are not lost due to lack of resources.

Instead, these businesses can grow, create jobs, and contribute to sustainable economic development across the continent.

Application Deadline

Applicants should visit the official application page for the most up-to-date deadline information and submission details.

Early applications are strongly encouraged to ensure adequate preparation and completion of all required materials.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can learn more about the FAST Program and begin the application process through the official program page.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully review all requirements and prepare the necessary information about their startup, including details about their business model, impact potential, and growth plans.

Applications must be submitted online through the official program website.

For more information and to apply, visit here.

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