Mastercard Foundation Opens 2026 FAST Program for Young African Entrepreneurs
The Mastercard Foundation has launched its third application cycle for the Fund for Alumni Start-ups in Transition, targeting early-stage entrepreneurs from four major African leadership development programs.
Applications opened on February 20, 2026, for the FAST initiative, which channels enterprise support and seed capital to alumni of the Young African Leaders Initiative, African Leadership Academy, Anzisha Prize, and the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program. The foundation has structured the program to meet entrepreneurs at different stages of business maturity.
Two-Stage Funding Model
The program operates through a phased approach designed to match financial support with venture readiness. Entrepreneurs developing initial concepts can access an average of $3,000, with allocations reaching up to $5,000 for idea refinement and validation work. Those ready to build operational businesses may qualify for an average of $12,500, with maximum disbursements of $15,000 for entrepreneurs demonstrating viable commercial models.
Funding decisions are determined individually based on each venture’s development stage and specific resource requirements. The foundation has clarified that participation in the program does not guarantee financial support, as capital allocation follows assessment of business viability and entrepreneur readiness.
Support Beyond Capital
FAST extends beyond financial assistance to include structured business development training and access to a network of entrepreneurs and mentors. The program is delivered through partnerships with several African entrepreneurship support organizations, including CCHub Nigeria, MDF Global, Concree, Scale up, Savannah Innovations Lab, the Center for Enterprising Organizations, Inkomoko, and the Africa Leadership Academy.
The foundation has emphasized its commitment to inclusive participation, actively encouraging applications from women entrepreneurs, refugees, displaced persons, and young people with disabilities. Program materials are available in English, French, Portuguese, and Arabic to broaden accessibility across African regions.
Eligibility and Application Timeline
The initiative targets alumni who are either exploring entrepreneurship or have recently launched ventures. Applicants nearing graduation from eligible programs can receive provisional acceptance and join subsequent cohorts upon completing their studies.
Those interested can submit applications through the foundation’s online portal, with the current application window remaining open for 2026 participants.
The FAST program sits within the foundation’s broader Education and Transitions strategy, which aims to create pathways between education systems and meaningful employment or entrepreneurship opportunities for young people across the continent.
