The Mastercard Foundation has named five higher education institutions, including Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), as the inaugural winners of the Africa Higher Education for Transformation (AHEFT) Prize.
Announced on Monday, July 20, the AHEFT Prize is a first-of-its-kind annual award backed by a US$500 million commitment over its first decade. The initiative recognises African higher education institutions driving sustained, institution-wide transformation while expanding opportunities for young people.
The inaugural winners are Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia, the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) in Burkina Faso, KNUST in Ghana, Muni University in Uganda and the University of Rwanda.
Each institution will receive US$3 million to scale initiatives aimed at advancing higher education and creating opportunities for young people across Africa.
KNUST was recognised in the Excellence in Research and Innovation category for developing one of Africa’s leading research-to-innovation ecosystems.
According to the Foundation, the university has successfully translated research into startups, industry solutions and public impact through platforms including the Kumasi Business Incubator, Innovation Centre and Technology Consultancy Centre.
The Foundation said KNUST’s model demonstrates how science, technology and entrepreneurship can drive economic transformation and job creation.
Speaking on the award, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mastercard Foundation, Sewit Ahderom, said the initiative seeks to build on the progress made by African universities over the past two decades.
“For twenty years we have seen African institutions rethink what higher education can deliver. The AHEFT Prize turns that proof into momentum: we are backing homegrown excellence with a decade-long commitment, so that universities across the continent become engines of opportunity for millions of young people,” she said.
The other awardees were Addis Ababa University, recognised for Excellence in Research and Innovation; the International Institute for Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE), honoured for Excellence in Teaching and Learning; Muni University, recognised for Transitions to Employment; and the University of Rwanda, honoured for Excellence in Health.
The Mastercard Foundation said the AHEFT Prize recognises institutions making transformational contributions in areas including teaching and learning, research and innovation, entrepreneurship, health, climate and environment, agriculture, and STEM, digital technology and artificial intelligence.
Executive Director of Higher Education Initiatives at the Mastercard Foundation, Dr John Nkengasong, said the prize reflects a broader vision for African universities.
“This is the moment to reimagine what higher education institutions can do as engines of human capital development – not only as a place of learning, but as a direct route to work, to economic participation, and to a better future for young people across Africa,” he said.
The five institutions will officially receive their awards during the Higher Education Transformation Convening scheduled to take place in Accra on September 22, 2026.
The Mastercard Foundation said it plans to recognise and support at least 150 higher education institutions across Africa over the next decade through the AHEFT Prize.
