MEST Africa’s 3rd Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Cohort kicks-off

MEST Africa, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has officially announced 12 EdTech companies selected for the third cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship.

The companies bring the number of Ghanaian-owned solutions accelerated through the Fellowship to 36.  The 2026 cohort exemplifies the EdTech Fellowship’s commitment to versatility and regional inclusion, with solutions spanning innovative learning tools, teacher training and inclusivity, school and teaching management platforms, learning platforms and exam preparation and gamified learning tools across seven (7) regions in Ghana.

Since the programme was launched in Ghana during 2024, the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship implemented by MEST Africa has impacted 691,376 learners across the country and the current cohort will be building on this reach.

“This milestone proves that high-quality digital education is no longer a distant goal but a present reality, marking a major shift in how knowledge is delivered in the modern classroom,” said Angela Duho, MESTx Senior Manager-MEST Africa.

Central to this impact is a commitment to making sure no one is left behind, regardless of gender, location or ability. The programme has achieved a remarkable 48.8 percent female representation, reaching 337,055 young women to ensure a diverse future for the country’s tech economy. This reach extends to some remote areas, providing 105,234 rural learners with world-class resources and supporting 19,880 people with disabilities.

By removing these traditional barriers, she said, the fellowship is fostering an environment where every learner has the opportunity to excel.

“This was an incredibly impactful and exciting journey for our entire team,” said Bennette Osae Addo, Programmes Manager-Academic Talent Development Programme, Cohort 2 company.

“The fellowship’s timing was perfect, arriving as we positioned ourselves for a significant high-growth expansion phase. We leveraged the programme’s resources, mentorship and network to refine our product-market fit, streamline operations and build a robust foundation. The connections and lessons learned have been invaluable, directly contributing to our accelerated growth post-programme. We are now much better equipped to handle the complexities of scaling,” he added.

The selected companies for MEST Africa’s 2026 Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship include Robotek, which promotes collaborative learning through robotics kits, tailored curricula and lab infrastructure; Syllabus Gh, offering a data-driven study platform aligned with BECE and WASSCE syllabi; Keep Premium, which provides in-class teacher training supported by interactive dashboards for lesson planning and monitoring; and Edutapcs Consult, delivering NTC-aligned teacher training through digital and in-person programmes.

Other participants include Jyncafey Training Consult, which provides multimedia-based science and mathematics content; Supreme Concepts Ltd., offering an integrated platform combining self-paced learning, exam simulations and analytics; EduSpots, a community-led initiative delivering low-connectivity education via WhatsApp and digital tools; and Alanrose Enterprise, which runs a low-bandwidth platform with interactive, WASSCE-aligned content to improve exam readiness.

The rest are Kokuromoti Publications, which combines curriculum-based books with QR-linked bilingual video lessons and a gamified app; Literacy in Northern Ghana (LING), providing offline digital STEM content through portable servers; Era Axis, which delivers low-cost STEM education using e-waste and local materials; and INEX 360 Ltd., whose SmartSapp platform supports school management, parent engagement and data-driven decision-making.

“Technology is accelerating how education can reach those who have historically been excluded,” added Wariko Waita, Director-Centre for Innovative Teaching and Learning, Mastercard Foundation. “The EdTech Fellowship sits at the intersection of three powerful forces – education system transformation, inclusive technology-enabled solutions and sustainability of Africa’s EdTech entrepreneurship that is responsive to real needs and capable of reaching millions across Ghana and Africa.”

The third cohort will over a six-month acceleration period receive capacity building, network expansion and refine their innovations to maximise their impact on African education. Beyond expert-led mentorship and advisory sessions, each EdTech Fellow will receive up to US$60,000 in equity-free funding, followed by an additional year of post-programme support.

The EdTech Fellowship was launched in 2019 by Mastercard Foundation to support promising, African-led & owned growth-stage EdTech companies solving Africa’s educational challenges. In Ghana, the initiative is tackling critical gaps in K-12, higher education and vocational training to transform the learning landscape.

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