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 programmes support pathways from education into employment and entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on young women, persons with disabilities, refugees and displaced persons.
About the Mastercard Foundation Associates Program 2026
The Mastercard Foundation Associates Program 2026 provides recent graduates and early-career applicants with 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.
Associates are matched with host organisations and work assignments according to available vacancies, their skills, career interests and country of residence.
During the 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 will depend on available vacancies and the applicant’s country of residence.
Who Can Apply
Applicants should meet the following criteria:
- Be a recent graduate of a tertiary-education institution.
- Be unemployed or underemployed.
- Have between zero and two years of work experience.
- Be a resident of Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone or The Gambia.
- Have completed the mandatory national service requirement in their country, where applicable, or possess an official exemption document.
Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program alumni and alumni of other Mastercard Foundation-supported programmes are encouraged to apply.
The programme also encourages applications from young women, persons with disabilities, refugees and displaced persons.
Programme Structure
1. Recruitment and Selection
Applicants will participate in the programme’s recruitment and selection process.
2. Preparation and Development
Selected participants will receive support covering employability, workplace readiness, leadership, entrepreneurship, enrichment and professional development.
3. Host Organisation Matching
Associates will be matched with host organisations and assignments based on available vacancies, their skills, career interests and country of residence.
4. Paid Work Placement
Each selected Associate will complete a paid 12-month placement and undertake meaningful responsibilities related to their assigned role.
5. Mentorship and Feedback
Host organisations will provide supervision, mentorship, professional-development support and performance feedback throughout the placement.
Benefits and Support
Selected Associates will receive:
- A paid 12-month work placement.
- 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.
- Reasonable accommodations and tailored support mechanisms where required for equitable participation.
The programme provides opportunities for candidates seeking Graduate Trainee Programmes in Nigeria, Paid Graduate Internship opportunities, Graduate Work Placement programmes and Jobs for Young Graduates in Africa.
Documents Required
Applicants should prepare:
- A valid government-issued identification document showing their date of birth.
- A national-service certificate or official exemption document, where applicable.
- An up-to-date CV.
- Evidence of participation in a Mastercard Foundation programme, where applicable.
Important Application Information
Applications are administered and collected by Jobberman Nigeria Limited.
Applicants should provide accurate information and submit all required supporting documents before the closing date.
Information submitted during the application process may be processed for programme administration, employer matching, training design, monitoring, evaluation, learning, impact assessment and secure storage. It may also be shared with authorised programme partners and service providers for legitimate programme purposes.
For questions relating to consent or applicable data-protection rights, applicants may contact mcfap@jobberman.com.
Application Closing Date
21st October 2026
How to Apply
Interested and eligible applicants should complete the official online application form before 21st October 2026.
