Mastercard Foundation Partner

Africa Climate
Collaborative

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

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.

View Scholarship Opportunities
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 - 16-Aug-2026

Africa Climate Collaborative Scholar Among Winning Team at University of Cape Town Climate Risk Training

By Damali Mukhaye

Bruce Ayesigye, a Master of Science in Agricultural Engineering Scholar under the Africa Climate Collaborative at Makerere University, completed the University of Cape Town’s Climate System Analysis Group (UCT-CSAG) Short Course on Navigating Climate Risk held from 22–26 June 2026. The training strengthened participants’ knowledge of climate science, risk assessment, adaptation planning and decision-making. Bruce’s multidisciplinary team won the final group project for developing innovative adaptation pathways to address agricultural drought in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. 

Read More
News and Events - 16-Aug-2026

Scam Alert: Master's and PhD Scholarship Applicants Warned

The Africa Climate Collaborative (ACC) at Makerere University has cautioned scholarship applicants against fraudsters falsely claiming they can influence or guarantee scholarship awards. The Collaborative emphasises that the 2026/2027 scholarship selection process is still ongoing and no scholarships have been awarded. Applicants should ignore requests for payment or promises of admission and rely only on the official Program's communication channels, including registered telephone numbers and email addresses.

Read More
News and Events - 16-Aug-2026

Stakeholders of Mastercard Foundation Initiatives at Makerere University Convene to Review Progress and Strengthen Collaboration

By Damali Mukhaye 

The Mastercard Foundation-supported initiatives at Makerere University convened the 2nd Partnership Development Breakfast Meeting on 9th July 2026 in Kampala to review progress, strengthen collaboration, and explore opportunities for advancing education, research, innovation, and youth empowerment. The engagement brought together university leaders, government officials, development partners, private-sector actors, and stakeholders to discuss initiatives, including the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme, Africa Climate Collaborative, and e-Learning Initiative.

Read More

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Our Partners

About 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

Contacts

Plot 144 Pool Road, Makerere University
climateresilience@mak.ac.ug
+256-744-773-237


© Africa Climate Collaborative - Makerere University. Supported by Mastercard Foundation.

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