Mastercard Foundation Pumps Millions into Ethiopia’s Digital Classrooms

The third cohort of the Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship is a direct response to Ethiopia's urgent need for scalable, localized learning tools. Each of the twelve selected startups receives USD 60,000 in equity-free funding, but the program’s real value lies in its year-long acceleration phase. 

Managed by Reach for Change and the ICT Association of Ethiopia, the fellowship provides entrepreneurs with access to pedagogy experts and business mentors. This support is critical in a market like Ethiopia, where low internet penetration in rural areas and a variety of local languages require highly specialized digital solutions.

The 2026 cohort features a diverse range of innovations designed to bridge the digital divide. Abugida Robotics is tackling the skills gap by bringing hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) kits to schools, while Lilo Digital Academy is creating specialized learning modules for youth in regions recovering from conflict.

Other fellows, like Gebeta Software, are developing school management systems to help administrators track student progress in real-time. By focusing on ventures that offer offline functionality and local language support, the Mastercard Foundation is ensuring that the digital transformation of Ethiopian education reaches the most marginalized students, not just those in the capital.