Written by Applications are open for the Mastercard Foundation Associates Program 2026, a program that offers recent graduates and early-career applicants a structured, paid 12-month work placement with a host organisation.
The programme combines practical workplace experience with employability training, mentorship, leadership development, entrepreneurship support and professional exposure.
The 2026 Cohort 2 recruitment is being implemented by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with Jobberman for applicants residing in Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
Participants are matched with host organisations and work assignments according to available vacancies, their skills, career interests and country of residence.
About Mastercard Foundation
The Mastercard Foundation is an independent, Africa-focused foundation that works with partners and institutions to expand access to education, skills development, dignified work, entrepreneurship and financial inclusion for young people.
Its Education and Transitions work supports pathways from education into employment and entrepreneurship, with particular emphasis on young women, persons with disabilities, refugees and displaced persons.
The Foundation delivers its programmes through partnerships with employers, educational institutions, implementing organisations and other partners.
About The Mastercard Foundation Associates Program 2026
The Mastercard Foundation Associates Program supports young Africans who are moving from education into meaningful and dignified work. Associates complete a structured placement with a host organisation while receiving additional support designed to strengthen their employability, professional development, leadership and entrepreneurship skills.
During the 12-month placement, host organisations provide day-to-day supervision, meaningful work assignments, mentorship, professional-development support and performance feedback.
The specific host organisation, job function, placement location and work arrangement depend on available vacancies and the applicant’s country of residence.
More than 1,000 Associates in 22 countries have participated in the programme since 2023.
Programme Details
- Programme: Mastercard Foundation Associates Program – 2026 Cohort 2
- Duration: 12 months
- Type: Paid graduate work placement and internship
- Participating countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia
- Application period: 21 September 2026 to 21 October 2026
- Application administrator: Jobberman Nigeria Limited
Who Can Apply
- Recent graduates of a tertiary-education institution.
- Applicants who are unemployed or underemployed.
- Individuals with between zero and two years of work experience.
- Residents of Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone or The Gambia.
- Applicants who have completed their country’s mandatory national service, where applicable, or hold an official exemption document.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumni and alumni of other Mastercard Foundation-supported programmes are strongly encouraged to apply. The programme also encourages applications from young women, persons with disabilities, refugees and displaced persons.
Placement And Programme Activities
- Recruitment and selection: Applicants pass through the programme’s recruitment and selection process.
- Preparation and development: Selected participants receive employability, enrichment, leadership, entrepreneurship and professional-development support.
- Host-organisation matching: Associates are matched with host organisations and assignments based on available vacancies, their skills, career interests and country of residence.
- Work placement: Each Associate completes a paid 12-month placement and undertakes meaningful responsibilities connected to the assigned role.
- Mentorship and feedback: Host organisations provide supervision, mentorship, professional-development support and performance feedback throughout the placement.
Benefits And Support For Associates
- A paid 12-month work placement with a host organisation.
- Practical experience in a professional work environment.
- Employability and workplace-readiness training.
- Leadership-development support.
- Entrepreneurship and enrichment activities.
- Structured mentorship and professional exposure.
- Day-to-day supervision and performance feedback from the host organisation.
- Reasonable accommodations and tailored support mechanisms where required to support equitable participation.
Documents Required
- A valid government-issued identification document showing the applicant’s date of birth.
- A national-service certificate or official exemption document, where applicable.
- An up-to-date curriculum vitae.
- Evidence of participation in a Mastercard Foundation programme, where applicable.
Application Information
The application is administered and collected by Jobberman Nigeria Limited. Applicants should submit their applications before 21 October 2026 and provide accurate information together with the required supporting documents.
Information submitted through the application may be processed for programme administration, employer matching, training design, monitoring, evaluation, learning, impact assessment and secure storage. It may be shared with the Mastercard Foundation, Jobberman, implementing and coordinating partners, inclusion and regional partners, and authorised third-party data processors.
Applicants may withdraw consent or exercise applicable data-protection rights by contacting mcfap@jobberman.com.