From 23 to 29 September 2026, a defining chapter unfolded in Zambia. FAWE Africa, in close partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, conducted a comprehensive Joint Monitoring and Learning Visit under Phase II of their transformative collaboration. The mission, which formed part of a broader joint monitoring initiative spanning Zambia and Zimbabwe, brought together a distinguished assembly of leaders, practitioners and programme participants. Together, they assessed progress, exchanged lessons and reaffirmed their collective commitment to expanding access to tertiary education for marginalized young women and men.

A Courtesy Visit to Zambia’s Ministry of Education

On 24 September, FAWE and the Mastercard Foundation paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Kelvin Mambwe, Permanent Secretary – Education Services, Ministry of Education, Zambia. The engagement formed part of the ongoing joint monitoring and learning mission for the Second Chance Pathways for Increased Access to Tertiary Education for Marginalized Young Women and Men Programme.

The Mastercard Foundation delegation was led by Ms. Hajra Zahid, Head, Girls Education, together with Ms. Larisa Akrofie, Program Lead, Girls Education, and Mr. Zacchi Sabogu, Impact Lead. The FAWE delegation was led by Mr. Richard Chelagat, Finance and Administration Director, FAWE Africa, alongside Mr. Kossi Tsenou, Coordinator of FAWE’s West and Central Africa Sub-Regional Office and Senior Communications Officer, FAWE Africa, Mr. Costern Kanchele, Executive Director, Forum for African Women Educationalists of Zambia (FAWEZA), and Ms. Lydia Madyirapanze, Executive Director, FAWE Zimbabwe (Fawezi). Colleagues from CAMFED and programme participants from Zambia and Zimbabwe also joined the engagement.

The discussion focused on programme progress, lessons from implementation, and the importance of listening directly to young people as FAWE and the Mastercard Foundation continued to strengthen second-chance education, tertiary pathways, TVET and inclusive opportunities.

Ms. Hajra Zahid captured the spirit of the dialogue, stating: “Young people are our greatest source of insight into how we can make this programme more responsive and impactful. Listening to their experiences helps us understand what is working, where barriers remain, and how we can strengthen their pathways to success.”

Dr. Kelvin Mambwe also recognised the value of continued partnership and collaboration: “We appreciate the partnership with the Mastercard Foundation and the work being undertaken by FAWE Zambia to expand opportunities for young people facing barriers to education. We value the continued collaboration and learning emerging from this programme.”

A Powerful Call to Action at the University of Zambia

The visit also brought the delegation to the University of Zambia (UNZA), where participants under the GCE Remedial Learning Programme were urged to take up leadership roles, create solutions and make the most of the opportunities available to them. Samuel Yalew Adela, Senior Director – Secondary Education and Transitions at the Mastercard Foundation, addressed the participants with a compelling message: “We need to find solutions.” He encouraged them to think differently and work towards creating opportunities for themselves and others, while calling for stronger collaboration with government and other stakeholders to create more opportunities for young people.

The visit brought together teams from the Mastercard Foundation and FAWE Africa, including Hajra Zahid, Head of Girls’ Education at the Mastercard Foundation; Lydia Madyirapanze, Executive Director of Fawezi; FAWEZA Executive Director Costern Kanchele; and CAMFED Executive Director Namenda Malupande. The joint monitoring and learning visit provided an invaluable opportunity to engage with participants, learn from their experiences and reflect on how the programme could continue creating pathways for young people to access education and build their futures.

Strengthening Collaboration at Charter House

At Charter House, Ms. Margaret Miyoba, Permanent Secretary for Administration, received Dr. Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director of FAWE Africa. The engagement provided an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on matters of mutual interest and shared value, while exploring opportunities to further strengthen collaboration and advance shared priorities in support of women and girls’ education and empowerment. The meeting underscored the importance of government partnership in sustaining and scaling the gains achieved through the programme.

A Concluding Reflection on Progress and Possibility

FAWE Africa, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, concluded the joint Monitoring and Learning Visit with FAWE Zambia under Phase II of the Mastercard Foundation partnership. The visit brought together teams from the Mastercard Foundation, FAWE Africa, FAWE Zambia and FAWE Zimbabwe to reflect on the progress of the programme and, importantly, to hear directly from learners benefiting from the bursary programme.

The Mastercard Foundation delegation included Mr. Samuel Yalew Adela, Senior Director – Secondary Education and Transitions; Ms. Hajra Zahid, Head of Girls’ Education; Ms. Larisa Akrofie, Program Lead, Girls Education; and Mr. Zacchi Sabogu, Impact Lead. The FAWE delegation was led by Dr. Martha Muhwezi, Executive Director, FAWE Africa, and Ms. Teresa Omondi-Adeitan, Deputy Executive Director and Head of Programmes, FAWE Africa, alongside Mr. Richard Chelagat, Finance and Administration Director, FAWE Africa; Mr. Kossi Aimé Tsenou, Coordinator of FAWE’s West and Central Africa Sub-Regional Office and Senior Communications Officer, FAWE Africa; Mr. Costern Kanchele, Executive Director, FAWE Zambia; and Ms. Lydia Madyirapanze, Executive Director, FAWE Zimbabwe.

During the visit, the team visited Livingstone Business and Engineering Studies (LIBES) and Lusaka Business and Technical College (LBTC), institutions supporting young people through the Phase II Mastercard Foundation bursary programme. The team had the opportunity to sit with learners, listen to their experiences and hear how access to education and skills training was opening new opportunities for them.

Beyond the visits, the conversations also provided an opportunity to reflect on what was working, the challenges learners continued to face, and what more could be done to strengthen second-chance pathways for young women and men. The visit was not merely an assessment; it was a celebration of resilience, a platform for learning and a powerful reminder that when partners united around a shared vision, transformative change became possible.