Visiting Kenya’s YALI Regional Leadership Center

“As a leader, can you tell me about the challenges you’ve had to overcome?”
“Would you share three habits that have helped you?”
“How did you face barriers as a woman rising up the ranks?”
“Why is The MasterCard Foundation investing in Africa?”

These are the questions I received from the men and women who make up the incoming class at the new Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Regional Leadership Center on the grounds of Kenyatta University in Nairobi. This incoming class of YALI Fellows from 14 countries in East and Central Africa represent a vibrant group of young entrepreneurs interested in creating social as well as economic impact in their home countries and communities. This week they embarked on an intensive three weeks of leadership development seminars and discussions. They were on day three of the program when I came by to say hello and found myself part of their seminar.

As I listened to their ideas and interests and felt the excitement and energy in the room, I could imagine the multiplier impact that YALI would have on the continent. The MasterCard Foundation is partnering with USAID along with a consortium of public and private sector organizations to establish four regional leadership centres across Africa that will offer leadership development, mentoring, and networking opportunities to thousands of young people. We’ve prioritized our outreach to women, young people living in rural areas and individuals who have had to overcome economic hardships. Many of them have projects or enterprises that are creating products and services to improve the lives of people who are living in poverty.

One young woman from northern Uganda got up to speak. I was expecting another question, instead she told us that she had served on a committee in her district to select MasterCard Foundation Secondary Scholars. She wanted to thank our foundation for staying focused on young people who are living in difficult circumstances and excluded from education. It brought home to me how our Foundation’s programs and partnerships intersect with each other, often in surprising and highly productive ways. It was a reminder of the power of networks.

As I left, another young woman said, “Even if this is as far as I go or if this is the last day of the seminar, I want you to know that my life has changed forever! I have already learned a lot and I have met new people who can help me take my ideas forward.”

Reeta Roy is the President and CEO of The MasterCard Foundation