Mastercard Foundation commits $40mn to Africa’s fight against COVID-19

The MasterCard Foundation has made a significant commitment of $60 million to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in efforts to bolster the fight against COVID-19. Peter Matero, the Chief Programme Officer at MasterCard Foundation, detailed the Foundation's partnership with the Africa CDC during a recent interview with CNBC Africa. Matero outlined the specific initiatives that the Foundation will undertake to support the COVID-19 response in Africa. The $40 million commitment will enable Africa CDC to acquire one million test kits, facilitate the validation of test prototypes developed in Africa, and deploy 10,000 primary healthcare workers and 80 epidemiologists across various African countries. Additionally, the Foundation will strengthen Africa CDC's capacity to coordinate and execute its pandemic response efforts in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (Affinate). Matero emphasized that the Foundation's focus remains on supporting the immediate relief, recovery, and resilience of communities and institutions in the wake of the pandemic. Recognizing the critical role of the informal sector in Africa's economy, Matero highlighted the Foundation's commitment to supporting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to recover and rebuild in the post-pandemic era. The Foundation's ongoing 'Young Africa Works' strategy, aimed at enabling 30 million young Africans to access dignified and fulfilling work, will continue unabated despite the challenges posed by COVID-19. Matero emphasized the importance of leveraging digital solutions and innovative approaches to navigate the crisis and support the long-term economic growth of the continent. Matero also addressed the operational challenges that the Foundation has faced due to the pandemic, acknowledging the profound impact on livelihoods and economic fundamentals. However, he reiterated the Foundation's unwavering commitment to working closely with countries to emerge stronger from the crisis and advance the goals of 'Young Africa Works.' As the pandemic continues to evolve, Matero underscored the Foundation's dedication to supporting Africa's COVID-19 response and contributing to the region's recovery and resilience efforts. The Foundation's multi-faceted approach, spanning healthcare support, economic recovery, and capacity-building initiatives, reflects its commitment to addressing the complex challenges posed by the pandemic. By partnering with Africa CDC and fostering collaboration with key stakeholders, the MasterCard Foundation is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping Africa's response to COVID-19 and charting a path towards a more resilient future.