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Mastercard Foundation Partner

Africa Climate
Collaborative

Empowering young people, especially women, to lead Africa to climate resilience and climate-positive growth through Makerere University.

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250+

Masters Scholarships

40

PhD Scholarships

500

Youth Skilled

8 Years

Program Duration

Africa Climate Collaborative

Makerere University, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is implementing the Africa Climate Collaborative (ACC). This is an eight-year initiative (2025–2033) aimed at empowering Africa’s youth, through transformative education, innovative research, and strategic partnerships that advance climate resilience, sustainability, and inclusive green economic growth.

The Collaborative is being delivered through a consortium of other three universities, including University of Ghana, University of Cape Town and University of Cambridge. The efforts of the partner Universities are coordinated by the Association of African Universities (AAU) - the backbone organisation for the collaborative.

The Africa Climate Collaborative seeks to promote climate-positive growth in Africa by strengthening higher education institutions to equip young Africans with relevant knowledge, practical skills, and resources to effectively respond to climate change while creating sustainable solutions for people and the planet, driving innovation, entrepreneurship, and green job creation.

Program Pillars

Four Reinforcing Pillars

Pillar 1: Workforce Development

Enable talented young professionals to lead climate solutions through quality education - 250 Masters & 40 PhD scholarships, 2 new Masters and 1 PhD programmes, upskilling 150 faculty, and boosting 8 research labs.

Pillar 2: Entrepreneurship

Empower youth to drive green economies - skilling 500 youth, seed funding for 200 projects, 2-year business mentorship, and boost funding for 40 women & youth-led green innovations.

Pillar 3: Research & Innovation

Catalyze high quality research through a Climate Resilience Support Centre - 30 post-doctoral fellows, seed funding for 100 innovations, and boosted research infrastructure.

Pillar 4: Networks, Policy & Learning

Strengthen networks to disseminate research - partnering with 5 public universities, 14 climate dialogues, supporting 15 local governments, and engaging 40 community liaisons.

Disability Inclusion

Inclusive, Equitable &
Transformative

Young persons with disabilities are priority program participants of the Africa Climate Collaborative. Our scholarships, entrepreneurship programs, and research opportunities are designed with inclusion at the core.

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Consortium

Our Partners

The Collaborative is delivered through a consortium coordinated by the Association of African Universities (AAU).

Makerere University

Lead implementing university in Uganda

Kampala, Uganda

University of Ghana

Consortium partner university

Accra, Ghana

University of Cape Town

Consortium partner university

Cape Town, South Africa

University of Cambridge

Consortium partner university

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Association of African Universities

Backbone coordinating organization

Accra, Ghana

Mastercard Foundation

Funding partner

Toronto, Canada

Our Core Values

Humility

Approaching our work with openness and a willingness to learn from all stakeholders.

Listening

Centering the voices of young people, communities, and those most affected by climate change.

Kindness & Respect

Treating every person with dignity and valuing diverse perspectives and experiences.

Co-creation & Impacting

Building solutions together with communities for lasting, measurable change.

Latest Post From Africa Climate Collaborative

News and Events - 06-Oct-2026

Makerere University Welcomes 50 Youth Skilling Program trainees under the Africa Climate Collaborative, Supported by Mastercard Foundation.

By Damali Mukhaye

The Africa Climate Collaborative Youth Skilling Program at Makerere University has enrolled its first cohort of 50 young people from Lwengo, Rakai and Yumbe districts. Supported by the Mastercard Foundation, the program provides 10 weeks of residential training at MUARIK, followed by a three-month industrial attachment and assessment by UVTAB. The programme aims to equip youth with practical skills in the poultry value chain.

News and Events - 06-Oct-2026

After 10 Years Out of Education, Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University Opens a New Chapter for Okello

By Damali Mukhaye

The Africa Climate Collaborative Youth Skilling Program at Makerere University,an initiative supported by Mastercard Foundation, has opened a new pathway for young people who have been left behind by education and employment opportunities. Among the first cohort of 50 participants is Alex Okelo John Amoya from Yumbe District, whose dream of studying at Makerere remained unfulfilled for more than 10 years due to financial challenges. Through the programme, Okello is acquiring practical skills in poultry production and hopes to establish an egg enterprise in his community.

News and Events - 06-Oct-2026

50 Master’s Students Awarded Scholarships Under the Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University

By Damali Mukhaye

The Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University, supported by the Mastercard Foundation, has awarded scholarships to 50 young people to pursue Master’s studies in the 2026/2027 academic year. The 50 scholars include 34 females and 16 males. The new cohort brings the total number of Master’s scholars supported by the programme to 85 out of the 250 scholarships planned over eight years. The programme seeks to develop young African climate leaders, researchers and innovators.

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Cohort two Scholars

Africa Climate Collaborative

African climate

Scholarship award ceremony 2025

2026 Africa Climate Collaborative Convening

2026 Africa Climate Collaborative Convening

Cohort I of the Master's Scholars under the Africa Climate Collaborative

Stakeholders at Makerere University

Members of the Africa Climate Collaborative team from Makerere University

Africa Climate Collaborative

250+

40

500

8 Years

Africa Climate Collaborative

Program Pillars

Four Reinforcing Pillars

Pillar 1: Workforce Development

Pillar 2: Entrepreneurship

Pillar 3: Research & Innovation

Pillar 4: Networks, Policy & Learning

Inclusive, Equitable & Transformative

Consortium

Our Partners

Makerere University

University of Ghana

University of Cape Town

University of Cambridge

Association of African Universities

Mastercard Foundation

Our Core Values

Humility

Listening

Kindness & Respect

Co-creation & Impacting

Latest Post From Africa Climate Collaborative

Makerere University Welcomes 50 Youth Skilling Program trainees under the Africa Climate Collaborative, Supported by Mastercard Foundation.

After 10 Years Out of Education, Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University Opens a New Chapter for Okello

50 Master’s Students Awarded Scholarships Under the Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University

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Africa Climate
Collaborative

Inclusive, Equitable &
Transformative