Dubbed ‘Young Africa Works’, the project has two initiatives which are ‘Hanga Ahazaza’ with $50 million to promote economic opportunities, businesses and tourism, and ‘Leaders in Teaching’ which aims at teachers’ capacity building.
Speaking at the launch of the five-year project, MasterCard Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Reeta Roy said that the initiatives are the beginning of organization’s new strategy focused on youth employment.
“There has never been a more consequential time to come of age in Africa. Young people today are growing up with better access to education, health, technology and opportunities undreamed of by their grandparents and parents. It’s amazing to behold,” she said.
“A job is about so much more than money. It’s about dignity. When people have the dignity of work, they are invested in the future,” she added.
Speaking at the launch of the project, Prime Minister, Dr. Eduard Ngirente said that the new Pan-African strategy marks a new partnership between the Government of Rwanda and MasterCard Foundation.
“I am honored privileged to witness the launch of this new MasterCard Foundation Strategy. As it has been explained, this strategy has two significant initiatives: {To develop tourism and hospitality industry, and to improve quality of secondary education.} The initiatives are in line with Rwanda’s National Strategy for Transformation which was launched last year,” he said.
“In this National Strategy that aims at taking Rwanda beyond high income to high living standards by 2050, tourism and improved quality of education are among key priorities,” he added.
He said Rwandan Government appreciated the new initiative which is also aligned with the Africa’s broader transformation agenda as planned in the Africa Agenda 2063.
He promised Rwanda’s support to ensure the new partnership will remain strong and fruitful.
With $50 million Hanga Ahazaza Initiative, 30,000 people in tourism will be trained in ICT, good services delivery and access to finance services by small businesses.
The Leaders in Teaching Initiative will help to train teachers and school head teachers and over 250 students from secondary school will benefit from the initiative through Smart Classroom Programme.
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