The report, Young Women in Africa: Agents of Economic Growth and Transformation by 2030, commissioned by the Mastercard Foundation and conducted in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, outlines a series of immediate, actionable solutions for government, private sector, and civil society to reverse the steep decline of young women’s contribution to Africa’s GDP from 18 percent in 2000 to just 11 percent in 2022.

Under the themes “Powering Parity—Inclusive Education for a Sustainable Future” and “Invincible: Empowering Women, Transforming Africa,” The Mastercard Foundation will host two pivotal events at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) on September 22, 2024. Both gatherings will address the critical issues of girls' education and women's economic empowerment in Africa and will be held at the Millenium Hilton New York, One UN Plaza Hotel.

The Mastercard Foundation also plans to expand successful programs aimed at transforming the educational landscape for women and girls. Over the next seven years, the Foundation will scale its long-standing partnerships with Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) and Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) with $360 million to support more than 70,400 young women and girls in completing their education journeys, starting their own businesses, or accessing employment opportunities.