On October 31, 2024, KEPSA Foundation participated in the inaugural networking event of the Mastercard Foundation Associate Program, held at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Nairobi. The event, hosted by LEAP Africa, brought together representatives from the Mastercard Foundation, program associates in Kenya, employers from various companies, and consortium partners such as Shortlist Futures and Light for the World. The purpose of the forum was to assess the progress of the program, address any challenges, and gather feedback from both associates and employers.
The Executive Director of LEAP Africa, Ms. Kehinde Ayeni, noted that the Mastercard Foundation’s fully funded Associate Program was launched in Kenya in April 2023. The program was designed to empower young people with the skills and resources needed to accelerate their potential in professional environments while providing the youth with employability skills and connect them to job opportunities.
Ms. Ayeni further highlighted that one of the key objectives of the program was to address the challenge many graduates face when transitioning from campus to employment, where most entry-level positions require 1-2 years of work experience in the field of study. By offering a one-year work experience, the program bridges this gap. The project focused on matching associates with organizations that align with their academic backgrounds, allowing them to apply the knowledge they gained in school while gaining valuable practical experience. By the date meeting, the program had successfully onboarded 150 young professionals in Kenya, contributing to bridging the unemployment gap in the country.
Discussions at the forum centred on the progress made and the challenges faced by both associates and employers. The goal was to generate insights on how to strengthen the program, ensuring that it delivers maximum value for both employers and employees. Participants also aimed to draw key lessons that could inform the scaling up of the program, both within Kenya and across the broader region.
To advance its priority area of “Enhancing entrepreneurship and job creation for vulnerable communities,” KEPSA Foundation, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with Light for the World, participated in the program by onboarding two associates into the organization. This collaboration supports KEPSA Foundation’s commitment to providing meaningful employment opportunities and empowering vulnerable communities through skills development and job creation.
