The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa recently hosted the fourth annual Scholars' Conference and Award Program (SCAP), under the theme of “Innovate. Empower. Transform.”

SCAP is the culmination of the Transformative Leadership Training (TLT) program, a two-week immersive implemented by VS Management and Consulting. The training’s goal is to develop the self-confidence, ethical leadership skills, employability, and entrepreneurship abilities of young Africans. This initiative fosters cultural cohesion and community development among Mastercard Foundation Scholars, while empowering them to take on projects that lead to sustainable growth in their communities and across Africa. In attendance were representatives from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program team at USIU-Africa, the Angaza Foundation, and students from Thika High School for the Visually Impaired, reinforcing the event’s foundation of inclusivity and community empowerment.

In her remarks delivered on behalf of the Program Director, the Program Finance Lead, Ms. Roselyne Mkanjala lauded the Mastercard Foundation Scholars for their commitment towards giving back and uplifting their communities.

“Congratulations to each of you on the completion of the training. You are now more than equipped with the knowledge and skills to engage with your communities and contribute to meaningful social change. We look forward to seeing the impact from the application of the skills you have gained, “she said.

The event featured a keynote address by Nimah N’Zani Kassim, a USIU-Africa alumna from the class of 2017. In her speech, she reflected on her own leadership journey and the experiences that shaped her passion for gender equality and social justice.

“Standing here today is a full-circle moment,” she said. “It’s a reminder that no matter where you come from, your story matters. You can return to the very spaces that molded you with a testimony,” she added.

Nimah spoke of her upbringing in Kenya’s coastal region, where she witnessed first-hand the inequalities faced by girls in her community, many of whom were married off at a young age while their male counterparts continued their education. Fueled by a deep sense of justice, she set out to change the narrative.

“I always questioned why boys were allowed to dream freely, while girls were told their dreams were too big. That is what led me to pursue journalism, to be a voice for the voiceless,” she shared.

Her advocacy journey eventually led her to start the Hijabi Mentorship Program, a community-based organization that champions gender equality and offers mentorship on sexual health, gender-based violence, and economic empowerment in underrepresented regions like Kwale County.

“I started my organization right here at USIU-Africa,” she recalled. “No funds. No clear plan. Just a vision and the courage to begin, and today, I have been the recipient of many grants that have helped me push my work forward. I want to encourage each of you to begin where you are. You need to take the next step and believe in yourselves and the power of your vision, because the world needs more committed people, “she said.

Seven groups took to the stage to present their Community Action Projects (CAPs), addressing critical issues across education, accessibility, health, nutrition, entrepreneurship, and the arts, each aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The presentations were judged by a panel of seasoned professionals, including Nimah N’Zani Kassim, a gender equality advocate and communication strategist; Leah Kigondu, a mental health expert; Natalie Sifuma, a storyteller and communications consultant; Nadia Abdalla, Director for Africa Communications at CoAfrica and Ojo Olutayo Emmanuel a consultant at VS Management & Consulting.

The Conference also featured screenings of CAP video documentaries, which captured the impact of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars’ projects across various counties. From establishing inclusive learning spaces for children with disabilities to empowering young people through arts-based enterprises, the videos were a testament to the Scholars’ dedication and ingenuity.

The session proved to be valuable for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars, who gained critical insights on how best they could scale up their projects and make them more sustainable. On their end, the panel praised the Mastercard Foundation Scholars for their innovation, and deep commitment to solving real-world problems. The winners of the day were Empower Sphere, followed closely by the Change Engineers and the Pioneers of Change who placed third. Each of the teams received Ksh. 50,000, Ksh 30,000 and KSH 20,000 respectively for the scaling up of their projects.