Impact Beyond Measure: Reflecting on Three Years of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship
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Since 2023, the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship, delivered by Injini, has been on a mission to identify and amplify South Africa’s most promising educational technology. In just three years, we have accelerated 36 companies that are redefining the future of learning.
While the data is impressive, including a median revenue growth of nearly 20%, the real story lies in the people. To date, our Fellows have recorded 600 jobs. 139 of those roles were created during their time with us, and notably over half (74) are held by women. This represents a significant shift toward a more inclusive tech economy.
Bridging the Rural Divide
“We had to think outside the box to digitise a rural classroom,” says Mukundia Lambani, CEO of Ambani Africa (cohort 1).
“The results were life-changing: 39% of learners who were previously considered low achievers became high achievers. Seeing that impact on the community, from educators to parents, was a definitive highlight of the Fellowship for us.”
Mastering the Art of Scale
For Francois van Louw, Founder of SOCO_ED (Cohort 2) , the Fellowship provided the roadmap for growth. “We went from 18,000 users to nearly 40,000 active users. For the first time, we have the confidence and the proven strategy to know exactly how to generate scale and sustain that growth.”
Strategic Clarity
Andrew Barret, Co-Founder of OLICO Maths (Cohort 3), notes that the Fellowship provided much-needed perspective. “The Fellowship gave my team the opportunity to focus on the business rather than getting pulled into the day-to-day functionality. That shift has benefited us tremendously.”
The Power of the Network
Perhaps the most inspiring outcome has been the spirit of collaboration. A significant number of our Fellows continue to work in close partnership long after their formal participation ends. When we look at the collective reach, the scale is staggering. We have seen R249 million in funding secured, 600,000 educators empowered, and 3 million learners reached.
Looking Ahead
Our work is far from over. Our commitment remains steadfast as we turn our focus toward those who have been traditionally overlooked. This includes rural youth, young women, learners with special needs, and displaced learners or refugees.
Thank you to Mastercard Foundation, our incredible Fellows, and the partners who have journeyed with us. We are just getting started.
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