Africa Climate Collaborative
at Makerere University
An eight-year university-wide program partnering with Mastercard Foundation to empower young people to create inclusive, equitable, and transformative responses to climate change.
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.
Our Vision
An Africa where young people have been empowered to create inclusive, equitable, innovative, and transformative responses to accelerate climate resilience and sustainability.
Our Purpose
To create climate-responsive and socially-just opportunities for dignified and fulfilling engagements for Africa's youth through workforce development, innovative and entrepreneurship advancement within community-engaged Universities.
Program Pillars
Four Reinforcing Pillars
The Program is operationalized under four reinforcing pillars:
Pillar 1: Workforce Development
Enable talented young professionals to lead the development of climate solutions through quality education
- Extend comprehensive Scholarships to 250 Masters and 40 PhD Students
- Develop new curricula of 2 Master's and 1 PhD programmes
- Upskill 150 Faculty in academic research supervision
- Boost 8 research labs with equipment and software
Pillar 2: Entrepreneurship
Empower youth to drive green economies through enhanced green entrepreneurship skilling programs
- Skilling Programme for 500 youth who have not had the opportunity to pursue University Education
- Provide seed funding for 200 viable entrepreneurship projects
- Extend business mentorship to entrepreneurs for 2 years
- Provide boost funding for 40 women and youth-led green community innovations
Pillar 3: Research & Innovation
Catalyze high quality research and innovation through a Climate Resilience Support Centre
- Support 30 post-doctoral fellows
- Establishment of the Climate Resilience Support Centre
- Seed funding for 100 Innovations (MSc, PhD, & Postdoctoral fellows) with 2-year mentorship
- Boost the research and innovation infrastructure at the University
Pillar 4: Networks, Policy & Learning
Strengthen networks to disseminate research outputs and innovations
- Partner with 5 Public Universities (Gulu, Busitema, MUST, Muni) for joint research initiatives
- Conduct 14 climate science-policy-practice dialogues
- Support 15 Local Governments to develop Climate Change Strategies
- Engage 40 multi-generational community liaisons to promote research innovation uptake
Consortium Partners
Working Together for Impact
Makerere University
Mastercard Foundation
University of Ghana
University of Cape Town
University of Cambridge
Association of African Universities (AAU)
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